Art in Aid of Ukraine
Open Door’s current exhibition is made up of over 80 pieces of artwork, all donated by local artists, for sale in aid of Ukraine.
Amongst the artwork are three paintings donated by 10 year old Aleskandra, who came into Open Door having arrived from Ukraine just days before. She said: ‘I want to share my love of painting with everyone and make good friends.’
Aleskandra and her mother, who fled their home town of Zaphorizhia on an evacuation train to Poland after having lived in a bomb shelter for three days, hope to settle in the local area.
Joan Fisher, general manager at Open Door said: ‘Sharing Aleksandra’s art and her story brings home the true nature of the suffering in Ukraine and is a stark reminder of all those left behind for whom she is so concerned.’
Unsurprisingly the theme of sunflowers (Ukraine’s national flower) comes through strongly across in the exhibition; the range of interesting and unique artworks available for sale is incredible.
Some rare gems on offer are three images donated by photographer Vernon Dewhurst – portraits of singer David Bowie taken in 1969. The photographs had been missing for years, but were recently tracked down in New York. Two are images from Vernon’s iconic shoot with Bowie for his Space Oddity album cover and a third is a triptych of shots of Bowie playing at a pub gig in Beckenham later the same year. For any Bowie fans out there this is an incredible opportunity to acquire a unique photograph of the great artist, taken by a great photographer, and provide much needed help for Ukrainian refugees at the same time.
All artwork in the exhibition has been donated, and is for sale with all proceeds going to DEC’s Ukraine Appeal. Open Door urges the local community to get behind the cause, come and visit the exhibition and take the chance to buy some original, affordable art in aid of a wonderful cause.
The exhibition runs until Saturday 7 May, and is open Monday-Saturday 10.30am-3.30pm. Refreshments are available in Open Door’s donations café.
For those unable to visit in person, an online catalogue is availability at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1998274123709107&type=3 – please email info@opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk if you are interested in buying any pieces.
There is also a ‘Meet the Artists’ event on Saturday 30 April, 12-3pm, where the public are invited to pop in and chat with some of the artists who have donated work.
For more information visit www.opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk/exhibitions