Calling for art with heart and soul
The fifth ‘Florey ArtFest, For the Love of Art’ is on its way and the Florey Medical Research Foundation is appealing to emerging and established artists to join their colleagues to have their work included in the star-studded event in October.
Judith Turner from the Foundation says the event has become a high point on the calendar for art collectors, with a wide range of established artists, emerging talent and celebrities supporting the event by donating a work of art on a provided canvas to raise funds for medical research.
And this is art collecting with a twist - each artist only signs their work on the back and buyers won’t know who the artist is until the work is purchased. All works are sold for $250, with the funds raised going to support the vital work of Professor Robert Vink, Head of Pathology, and his research into brain injury, encompassing treatment of acute trauma to the brain and spinal cord from injury or acute diseases, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and brain pharmacology.
“The ArtFest brings together great talents and great appreciation for those talents,” Ms Turner said.
“The funds raised go directly to help with the work of the Foundation, which works in partnership with the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Health Sciences to support research and research training in the Medical School,” she said.
Adelaide’s A-list knows that means they have every chance of snatching a high profile artist for their collection at a bargain price. Or nabbing an emerging artist whose work attracts their attention, and only then having the mystery of the artist solved.
“It’s a great forum for new artists to have their work viewed by over 800 serious art collectors at the show. And as well as gaining great exposure at the event, the artist will know they’ve also made a real difference to the future of medical research.”
Ms Turner says enquiries from artists who would like to participate and donate a work are welcome.
“We provide the canvas and the artist is free to do whatever they wish,” Ms Turner said.
Artists wishing to find out more can contact Ms Turner on (08) 8303 5211.
Florey’s For the Love of Art Exhibition will be shown from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th October in the Bonython Hall, University of Adelaide. The exhibition will be opened with a gala cocktail party on Wednesday October 8 at 6.30pm.