Art Girl Fax No. 221 Newsletter invite friend

By TheArtGorgeous, 08.05.2020

Hello, Gorgeous!

Spreading positivity, whatever the weather

Life is difficult right now, and our mission is to make you SMILE and spread positive vibes only. It’s the little things that matter, and the art world actually has a lot to be happy about - and  proud of - right now. In some parts of the world galleries have begun to open, while elsewhere the art industry is mastering the art of online viewing rooms and zoom calls. So, to remind you of all the goodness out there in the world, here are 10 AMAZING things that happened in the art world this week.

1. Banksy Pays Homage To Healthcare Workers

The real superheroes right now work in hospitals. And, in honour of all those doctors and nurses working tirelessly to save lives, Banksy has posted a tribute to them on Instagram in a drawing  of a little boy playing with a nurse doll (wearing a cape, of course), while Batman and Spiderman have been relegated to the bin. The artwork is actually situated at Southampton General Hospital in England, where it will stay before it is auctioned off to raise funds for the British National Health Service. Thanks for reminding us what real superheroes look like Banksy! 

2. You Can Make A Damien Hirst Spin Painting On Snapchat

If you have large artistic ambitions but don’t have the space or the materials to create your masterpiece, fear not, because Damien Hirst and Snapchat have created a “mega spin art lens” for you to make spin paintings on your phone. The collaboration has been set up to support Partners in Health, a charity working to help communities in developing countries cope with the impact of Covid-19. 

3. Kickstarter Is Helping Arts Institutions Survive

We’ve all had at least one friend use Kickstarter to help fund an arty activity, and now museums are getting in on the act too. Previously the site was dedicated only to funding or commissioning new arts based projects. Now the crowdfunding platform has expanded to launch Lights On, an initiative that will allow institutions to raise money to cover operating costs. 

4. Manga Gets The Art Recognition It Deserves

Who didn’t love comics as a kid? That’s right, nobody. Behind all your favourite childhood (and adult) illustrations, were dozens upon dozens of artists, tiring away to make Pokemon et al look their best. So, it should come as no surprise that Sotheby’s has launched a Manga selling exhibition featuring characters like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z among many others. The IRL exhibition is open in Hong Kong by appointment only but you can view it all online until May 11.  

5. You Can Dress Like A Keith Haring Work

We all love dressing like our favourite artists, and now there is another fab art X fashion collab to look out for. French label Etudes - previously of Chloe Wise collection fame - have teamed up with Keith Haring’s estate for a limited-edition capsule collection. The black and white drop includes t-shirts and jackets and can be purchased through SSENSE.  

6. Self-Taught Artist Wins BP Portrait Award

There is hope for all of us yet! For everyone who dreamed of becoming an artist but never had the time or money to go to art school, let this inspire you. Self-taught Thai artist Jiab Prachakul has just won the BP Portrait Award. Jiab decided she wanted to be an artist after visiting a David Hockney exhibition and then won one of the UK’s biggest art prizes! A reminder to us all that we can do whatever we want if we put our mind to it.  

7. Murakami X Supreme Collab Raises $1 Million For Charity

Two weeks ago, Supreme released a box logo tee in collaboration with megastar artist Takashi Murakami with funds from sales going to charity. In that time they have already sold out, and in total raised more than $1 million. The money is going to US-based charity HELP USA, which provides shelter, food and essential services to young people and families. We love it when art and fashion make work for a good cause! 

8. Gucci Gets Arty In Seoul

In a new exhibition called No Space, Just A Place at the Daelim Museum in South Korea, Gucci is showcasing 10 independent Seoul art spaces to support the Seoul contemporary art scene. Drawing on the ancient concept of proxenia, the show seeks to formulate a new definition of being together while not being one thing. And, while it sounds uber theoretical and complicated, we love a good fashion directed art show.  

9. The Duchess Of Cambridge Launches Arts Initiative In Lockdown

Reminding us that photography is always chic, The Duchess of Cambridge is working with the UK’s National Portrait Gallery to get amateur photographers snapping. The Hold Still campaign invites people to capture a portrait of Britain during this very strange time. Finalists will participate in a digital exhibition, with an IRL show set to happen later this year. We are presuming that if you submit, your work will be viewed by royalty, which is a great incentive to get snapping! 

10. You Can Graduate With The Obamas

Was your graduation cancelled because the world is upside down? Don’t cry about it! The class of 2020 just levelled up in a BIG way. Barack and Michelle Obama are chairing an online graduation on June 6 via YouTube, along with celeb guests including Lady Gaga and Malala Yousafzai. The Graduate #WithMe livestream event will be full of musical performances and solidarity for all the students who missed out this year, so you know it will be a graduation to remember.