The Lockdown Collection: Raisi

Photo: Instagram/thelockdowncollection

The Lockdown Collection: Raising much-needed funds for artists in SA

The Lockdown Collection will see artworks uploaded online and put up for sale to raise funds for vulnerable South Africans and for artists during this national lockdown.

The Lockdown Collection: Raisi

Photo: Instagram/thelockdowncollection

A new charitable initiative, where a series of 21 art pieces are revealed day by day, was recently launched to capture the current extraordinary times in South Africa and to raise much-needed funds for artists and the broader community as a result of the ripple effect of the world’s latest pandemic.

Yes, The Lockdown Collection will see artworks uploaded online and put up for sale to raise funds for vulnerable South Africans and for artists during this national lockdown.

This collection is reportedly the brainchild of Carl Bates (Chief Executive of Sirdar Group), Lauren Woolf (Founder and Owner of Mrs Woolf) and Kim Berman (Founding Director of Artist Proof Studio) and was created to immediately and sustainably assist the art community during the lockdown period in South Africa.

Assist the art community

It is said that the online campaign was launched across various social media platforms from 27 March and will be running until 17 April 2020.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for all those in the art and creative community to provide leadership and generosity and to provide an opportunity in these challenging times,” writes Creative Feel.

The Lockdown Collection’s official website states that art and artists have always been a critical part of society and culture.

“They are the record keepers, beauty creators, truth revealers, thought provokers, empathetic visionaries, political disruptors, and human inspirers. Like everyone, they are deeply affected by the calamity [of the lockdown]. Many have or will lose their livelihoods and have little means to survive.”

How does it work?

The artworks – each forming part of an original collection – are uploaded daily on social platforms and sold at their market-related value to help vulnerable people of South Africa, vulnerable individuals or organisations in the visual arts, and the artists themselves.

The proceeds from the sale of the pieces aim to raise money for: The Solidarity Fund to help all vulnerable people of SA in their time of need, a vulnerable visual artist fund to support as many vulnerable individuals or organisations in the visual arts (for a start and to extend further if donations are significant) and the participating artist.

Towards the end of the lockdown period, the unique collection will be celebrated with an online event on the evening of the last day.