Brisbane homeless refuge, 139 Club, is staging its first ever fund-raising art auction this Friday, November 13, featuring art works from around 60 homeless artists participating in the centre’s new art program along with donated paintings from renowned local artist Robert Teoh.
Auction goers will be bidding via silent auction on more than 100 artworks including 52 paintings by Robert Teoh and 50 art works including paintings, clay sculpture, drawings and mosaic pieces from homeless artists.
139 Club’s general manager Rod Kelly says the art program has been providing a creative window of hope for its participants.
“Many of the artworks up for sale are visually very clever and artistically express some of the challenges of street life, the whys of homelessness and even depict the strengths of human character,” Mr Kelly said.
The homeless artists have participated in a program taught by local Samford based artist Louise Laurence who has educated the group in different artistic mediums and included excursions to Brisbane galleries and museums.
The program was funded thanks to Channel Nine’s Secret Millionaire, Naomi Simpson of Red Balloon who has personal interest in art. Naomi funded the project because of its long-term outcomes for the homeless community.
Naomi will be attending the auction and will be donating some of her own personal artworks.
Each of the 139 Club art participants has built up their own individual portfolios and the works going up for auction represent some of the standout pieces produced by the group.
Mr Kelly says 30 per cent of all sales will go to the artists. “It has been incredible to see the sense of worth of each these homeless artists improve exponentially just by being involved with the program. Not to mention, their art works are beautifully inspiring,” he said.
“We are also incredibly grateful for the very generous donation of paintings from Robert Teoh. Robert Teoh, 68, is a Malaysian born industrial engineer whose art hobby has seen him donate hundreds of art works, mostly landscape scenes, to good causes including Karuna Hospice, Global Mission and Rotary Club to name a few.
Teoh’s paintings going up for sale are acrylic on canvas works and many depict renowned Brisbane scenery and buildings including the Brisbane River, CityCats and theKookaburra River Queens.
To attend the auction, call the 139 Club on 3254 1144. Entry is by donation.
• 139 Club is a homeless refuge that provides a range of day and visiting services, welfare and family support, community development initiatives to 300 or more individuals each day.
