Fearne Cotton, Kojey Radical and Leigh Francis artworks up for fund-raising auction for Big Issue vendors
Australian artist Heath Kane’s Richer Than exhibition will auction off 50 exclusive artworks discussing the wealth divide in aid of The Big Issue Foundation
Australian artist Heath Kane’s Richer Than exhibition will raise funds for The Big Issue’s charitable arm The Big Issue Foundation to support Big Issue vendors. Image: Heath Kane
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Big names from the worlds of music and television have contributed to a new exhibition which will auction off artworks to raise funds for Big Issue vendors.
Fearne Cotton, Leigh Francis and Kojey Radical have all contributed to Heath Kane’s ‘Richer Than’ exhibition with a timed auction selling off 50 artworks in aid of The Big Issue Foundation, The Big Issue’s charitable arm.
The works, which take aim at the widening gap between the rich and the poor, will be on show at Spitalfields Market from April 23 to 29 with atimed exhibition running alongside the show via The Auction Collective.
“With everything that is happening in the world right now it’s easy to lose sight of the ever increasing problems on our doorstep,” Kane said.
“We are so connected as a society online, and so concerned for our virtual presence that we end up disconnected to real anguish when it’s right in front of us. Since the pandemic, the likelihood of households with two full-time workers being pulled into poverty has more than doubled.
“I hope the Richer Than exhibition raises questions about the current wealth divide. I want to encourage conversations about wealth and social contribution through the idea that with enough money anyone can be a superhero.”
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The artworks take aim at the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Image: Heath Kane
Each artwork in the exhibition, which is an extension of Kane’s Rich Enough to be Batman collection, incorporates a quotation and perspective on wealth, contributed by a cross-section of society, according to the artist.
He added that he hopes to evoke a dialogue that encourages real change at a time when ultra-billionaires are the new millionaires and yet poverty is soaring.
Podcaster and author Cotton, TV presenter Francis and musician Radical have all contributed to Kane’s pieces alongside The Apprentice’s Mike Soutar artist Dave Buonaguidi and influencer Katie Woods alongside members of the general public.
“We are excited to be partnering with Heath Kane for this exhibition. Despite the fact we all use it, we often find it challenging to talk about our relationship with money and wealth – wealth and poverty being polar opposites on a spectrum of good and evil,” said Tracy Griffin, chief executive of The Big Issue Foundation.
Funds raised during the exhibition and timed auction will go towards Big Issue vendors. Image: Heath Kane
“We need to recognise that wealth isn’t inherently evil. It’s what you do with it that matters. This exhibition gives people an opportunity to engage with these ideas in a relaxed and inspiring way. As well as raising funds to support Big issue vendors working their way out of poverty by providing well-being, financial & digital inclusion support, we believe Heath’s work will enable people to think about wealth and poverty in a different way.”
The event, which is held with the building owner and London investor Fabrix, will kick off with a private view at Roots in the Sky (formerly Blackfriars Crown Court) on Thursday April 21 with DJ sets from Femi Fem and Karistiocat.
Fearne Cotton, Leigh Francis and Kojey Radical are among the big names who have contributed to Heath Kane’s work. Image: Heath Kane
The exhibition then moves over the river to Spitalfields in East London from Saturday April 23 until Friday April 29, where it can be viewed by the general public. Auction platform The Auction Collective are managing the timed auction of the exhibited artworks. Guests and art buyers worldwide will be able to bid online or in person via a simple QR code system for their favourite pieces. The timed auction will run from April 23- 29.
Sustainable property investor and developer Fabrix have donated the old Blackfriars Crown Court building, which they are transforming into a next-gen office building with a 1.3 acre rooftop urban forest, to host the event. They are a property investor and developer helping to shape a most sustainable world through intelligent application of finance, technology and architecture.
They work closely with a range of charities to further support their efforts to shape a more sustainable and equitable world.
This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.
