Category Archives: CovidArt

CovidArt, London

Banksy’s Game Changer generates £16.7 millions for the NHS charities

Earlier in March, it was announced that Christie’s auction house would be auctioning off Game Changer, the painting made by the elusive street artist Banksy in order to pay homage to NHS healthcare workers in the United Kingdom. The painting, which depicts a young child ignoring his superhero toys in favour of playing with one representing a nurse, has reportedly just sold for £16.7 millions (or approximately $22.9 millions), which is by far the highest price Banksy has ever fetched at auction. It’s both a great victory for the artist and for healthcare workers, because the money generated by the sale will be going to UK health charities.

Previously, the highest price Banksy had generated at auction was £9.9 millions, which was shelled out in 2019 for Devoted Parliament, the artist’s cheeky canvas depicting members of Britain’s parliament as chimpanzees. The higher price for the NHS-affiliated painting may have had something to do with the altruistic intent behind the sale; Banksy will donate the proceeds to “help support health organisations and charities across the UK that enhance the care and treatment provided by the NHS.” Additionally, in a statement regarding the sale of Game Changer, Christie’s said that the auction house will also “donate a significant portion of the Buyer’s Premium to these causes.”

When Game Changer first appeared in Southampton General Hospital (see our coverage here), it was almost stolen by a would-be thief brandishing a cordless drill. Fortunately, the saga of the painting appears to be ending quite well.

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CovidArt, London, Street, streets

Covid’Art: Banksy’s intervention on the London tube

Following recent announcements that protective masks should be strongly recommended or mandatory when in public transport. Elusive artist is spreading his message to wear a mask in a humoristic way. He recently shared a video on his social account showing his latest intervention on the London underground.

Dressed in protective gear, he sprayed his signature rats in funny situations and playing around with masks. Lastly he sprayed his Banksy tag inside the carriage.

Images courtesy of Banksy. View the video here

CovidArt

Covid’Art: Banksy ‘Game Changer’ gift to the NHS

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Banksy has donated a new piece of artwork to be displayed in a hospital corridor of Southampton General Hospital.

The piece, entitled Game Changer shows a boy dressed in dungarees playing with a nurse superhero toy, with figures of Batman and Spiderman in a basket on the floor.

The nurse, wearing a cape, face mask and a white apron featuring a red cross, has her arm raised as if she is flying.

Banksy left a note for hospital workers, saying: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if its only black and white.”

Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Here at Southampton, our hospital family has been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends.

“The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour.

“It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art.

“It will no doubt also be a massive boost to morale for everyone who works and is cared for at our hospital.”

The hospital previously paid tribute to members of staff Mike Brown, 61, and Katy Davis, 38, who both died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Mr Brown, a linen porter who had been with the organisation for 20 years, died on April 29 after receiving care in the hospital’s critical care unit.
He was described as a well-recognised and popular member of staff who shared his good sense of humour with those around him.

Ms Davis, who worked in child health, had been unwell for some time before her admission to hospital and died on April 21 after testing positive for Covid-19.
She was described by Ms Head as a “nurse people would aspire to be like”.

The one meter sized artwork is now visible to staff and patients on level C of the Southampton General. It will then be auctioned to raise money for NHS charities this autumn.

Pictures courtesy of Banksy’s instagram and Nurse Jennifer Hammond

CovidArt

Covid’Art: More colouring packs from your favourite artists

We have gathered additional colouring pages from your favourite artists to let your creativity loose during these uncertain times. You can also check our previous selection here.

  • Illegal painting from Toulouse presents 2 volumes of colouring pages (link)  featuring 62 artists including Miss Van, Mademoiselle Kat, Tilt and more

  • Romero Britto is sharing a free colouring book (link)

  • Japan Society – Yoshitomo Nara (link)

  • Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans  / ThePangaseed Foundation offers 5 volumes of colouring books (link) to help save our seas
    Illustration below by Mateus Bailon

  • Library Street Collective – We All Rise ebook (link)
    with 100% of proceeds to benefit Living Arts Detroit, a non-profit with the goal of igniting creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through the performing, visual and media arts.

          

Participating artists include: Virgil Abloh, Nina Chanel Abney, Doug Aitken, Daniel Arsham, McArthur Binion, Amoako Boafo, Nick Cave, Dabls, Torkwase Dyson, Conrad Egyir, Shepard Fairey, Sam Friedman, Beverly Fishman, FriendsWithYou, Haroshi, Carole Harris, KAWS, Eddie Martinez, Tiff Massey, Charles McGee, Allie McGhee, Simphiwe Ndzube, Jordan Nickel, Jose Parla, Jason REVOK, Julia Wachtel, Austyn Weiner, Wendy White, and Tyrrell Winston.

  • Tara Mc Pherson is offering 6 colouring pages with her iconic characters (link)

Thank you to all the artists for their generosity !! We love you

CovidArt

Covid’Art: Get creative with colouring packs from your favourite artists

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During this quarantine period, we would like to thank artists who are offering generously their artworks for download as colouring sheets to keep the little ones busy but also get everybody to show their artistic sides. Only requirement is to either print the templates or use a tablet and then share your input back to the artists.

But feel free to donate or purchase artworks to support living artists. Stay home , stay safe and get creative!

Here is a first compilation :

  • Eelus has launched the Contagious Creativity Club with multiple templates (link)             
  • Editions Terrain Vague have produced a 31 pages colouring book (link) with 1984 crew and their friends including Lek and Sowat

  • Illegal Painting has gathered 25 artists in their Street Art Kit (link) including Mademoiselle Kat, Sherio, and Tilt

  • Phlegm is doing a Pandemic diary with multiple drawings to download ( link)

  • Italian association ‘Il Cerchio e le Gocce‘ created a colouring pdf ‘Coloravirus‘ featuring over 150 artists (link)

     

  • Speedy Graphito is offering a Cahier de Jeux (link)

  • Urban Signature has gathered 57 graffiti and street artists templates. Just indicate your email HERE to get the link to download  or try this

ARDIF – Cameleon Mechanimal