Artists Launch Initiatives to Benefit Black Lives Matter and Justice Organizations
Including Alexis Eke’s ‘Waters’ print, a charitable print sale called See In Black and more.
Amid the ongoing pandemic and nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, diverse organizations are requesting donations to aid their respective causes. Artists are also releasing original artworks to stir up support with proceeds from their sales to benefit justice organizations including Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, and more.
Alexis Eke releases a powerful print to support the COVID-19 Protest Relief Fund, 80 photographers team up for a charitable print sale that will empower a quintet of justice organizations, Giovanni Martins launched his #THISISBLACKGROUND initiative in support of the Black Art Futures Fund, Moosey Art is featuring Reuben Dangoor’s painting in a charity auction to raise money for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and proceeds from Adam Lister’s new print sale will go towards the Equal Justice Initiative.
View the full list below.
Alexis Eke Waters Print
The Canvas Agency
Release Date: Available on The Canvas Agency’s website
Release Price: $75 USD
Toronto-based illustrator Alexis Eke has released a print, titled Waters, to support those who are vulnerable to COVID-19. “As thousands of people take to the streets to protest racial discrimination and the many Black Lives lost at the hands of injustice, we also have the unfortunate fact that this deadly pandemic is still upon us…” she says. “Many will not be in position to pay the inevitable cost associated with their brave efforts.” The 20 by 28 inch poster depicts a portrait of a Black woman, with the phrase “Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters” printed over her body. All of the proceeds from the print sale will be donated to Chris Redd’s COVID-19 Protest Relief Fund, which assists those that contract this disease while protesting.
See In Black Juneteenth Print Sale
See In Black
Release Date: Available on See In Black’s website
Release Price: $100 USD
80 photographers have joined forces on a charitable print sale that will empower five different justice organizations. Called See In Black, the newly-formed coalition supports and spreads the storytelling power of Black photographers, unmitigated by an editorial filter. “We are artists and archivists,” said See In Black co-founders Joshua Kissi and Micaiah Carter. “We do not merely make images of Black figures, we document history that is often unrecorded with intentionality, respect, nuance and care.” See In Black will donate all profits to Know Your Rights Camp, Youth Empowerment Project, National Black Justice Coalition, Black Futures Lab and The Bail Project.
Giovanni Martins #THISISBLACKGROUND Print Initiative
Thisisblackground/Giovanni Martins
Release Date: Available on THISISBLACKGROUND’s website
Release Price: $50 to $5,000 USD
Photographer Giovanni Martins is documenting and celebrating Black people from all over the world with a new initiative called #THISISBLACKGROUND. Drawing from conceptual fashion and beauty portraits, the print collection challenges the fashion world and its deep-seated notions of racism in the U.S. and worldwide. The limited edition art prints, which range from 18 to 48 inches, further attempt to free society from racist and xenophobic ideologies within elite spaces and platforms of fine art. 25 percent of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Black Art Futures Fund, a collective of emerging philanthropists that supports young Black artists.
Reuben Dangoor No justice, no peace Painting Auction
Moosey Art
Release Date: Place your bid on Moosey Art’s Instagram account until 7 p.m. BST today
Release Price: Current bid at £500 (approx. $625 USD)
Norwich-based gallery Moosey Art recently launched a 24-hour charity auction featuring Reuben Dangoor’s No justice, no peace painting. The canvas depicts a raised middle and index finger bound by handcuffs, a juxtaposition of peaceful and criminal imagery. 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to help fight for racial justice in America. In addition to the donation, Moosey Art will pledge £1,500 (approx. $1,900 USD) alongside Dangoor to the Grenfell Foundation, which provides independent support to the survivors and families of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Adam Lister Limited Edition POWER Print
Adam Lister
Release Date: Available on Adam Lister’s website
Release Price: $100 USD
Adam Lister has unveiled a new print edition titled POWER that benefits the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal counsel and representation to prisoners who may have been wrongly convicted of crimes. The New York-based artist’s signed and numbered print features a pixelated interpretation of the iconic raised fist — a symbol of solidarity and support that is predominantly used as a nod to express unity, defiance, resistance or strength. The print measures 8 by 10 inches and arrives in an edition of 50. All proceeds from the sale of the edition will be donated to the aforementioned non-profit organization.
