RISE: Artists Use Charcoal From Bushfires In New Exhibition

Local creatives, brands and agencies have collaborated with the global art community to launch RISE, a disruptive art project that will showcase work using bushfire charcoal as a medium.

Globally recognised artists and designers include prolific ‘godfather of graffiti’ Lee Quiñones of Brooklyn, NYC; Eric Haze who also reigns from Brooklyn. NYC; Mr. Brainwash of French origin (the main protagonist in Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop); Brooklyn-based contemporary artist José Parlá; Los Angeles based Shephard Fairey, who is the artist behind the iconic Obama ‘Hope’ poster. Also featured are some of the world’s most prolific letterform artists: Londoner Ben Eine; and Parisians Jean Jullien and Fafi.

Local artists include legend Reg Mombassa behind the iconic Mambo series, Archibald winner Craig Ruddy; contemporary indigenous artist Otis Hope Carey alongside controversial mural painter Scott Marsh.

L.A artist Andy Howell, who started as a professional skateboarder in 1988 and was recently affected by fire, said, there’s an emotional connection to the charcoal.

“Working with charcoal’s raw, deep and organic nature has been an emotional experience. I hope through our work we can support those that really need it,” said Howell.

All artwork will be sold on an online auction with proceeds going directly to bushfire relief organisations, including the RFS, Wildlife Victoria, BlazeAid, WIRES, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Wildlife Victoria, and the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Fund.

Prior to auction, all artworks will be on public display from 12 March at Sydney Carriageworks, with a curated wine from bushfire affected region of Tumbarumba.

Creatives Collaborate for Good

RISE was co-founded by Google Partner Innovation APAC creative chief Matty Burton and Like Minded Studio founder and creative director Luca Ionescu.

Presenting partners include: M&C Saatchi, Mastercard, NRMA Insurance and Google. Burton said: “The word partners is true in every sense, we have had all kinds of support form each of them, from keeping the creative talents of M&C up late into the night, integrating our payment systems for the fundraiser with Mastercard, dragging coal from the bushfires through Google office and when we really needed help, finding that in NRMA Insurance. We are so thankful that all of them have come on board.

Ionescu, said the idea behind the exhibition came from a feeling of helplessness after bushfire smoke blanketed Sydney over various months.

“Matty and I were thinking of ways to get support behind those on the front line, which led to the idea of using burnt wood charcoal in art,” Ionescu said.

Burton said they’ve been overwhelmed by the level of talent wanting to get involved.

“Every artist in the show affects culture. From people who started street art in the US, the early days of hip hop, the skate scene in California to Australia’s own surfing counterculture. These artists are huge names. And they are alongside up and comers who are creating new culture right now, in music, media, fashion, food, and every other kind of medium. We want RISE to bring people together, to inspire them and help affect positive change,” he said.

RISE’s production partner, Alfred founder Stu Couzens, said: “It’s great that our friends and industry partners have jumped on board without question to help stage such a large-scale show. We have a great venue in Carriageworks, an incredible lineup of local and international artists, and plenty of other ingredients to make it an excellent show. Don’t forget your wallet.”

People wishing to purchase art where all proceeds will go back to bushfire-affected community can visit here: risexhibition.com

RISE’s PR partner, Eleven, has been managing media and artists to ensure the initiative generates global attention and support.

“The team jumped at the opportunity to get behind Matty, Luca, Anna, Stu and the global creative community to ensure we can give back and support those on the road to recovery,” said Eleven executive creative director Russ Tucker.

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