Ninety Kiwi artists create a walkable art trail to raise money for asylum seekers... and we are part of it!

A year in the making and we can finally start talking about it!

Over a year ago we were contacted by the Asylum Seekers Support Trust (ASST) and asked if we would like to be part of the Frame Works fundraiser. The concept was that a simple, raw timber frame would be provided to over 90 of New Zealand's greatest artists for them to transform into a piece of art to be auctioned off in support of asylum seekers. 

Our role in this was the creation of their canvas - the raw timber frames upon which the artists were to create their work. Some incorporated it as it was, some completely ripped it apart, but what has resulted is an incredible collection of very original artworks from some of New Zealand's biggest names. 

The works themselves are going to be displayed in shop windows throughout the CBD. Set up on a trail from Britomart to the AUT city campus, you can walk from one end to the other following the map. Go and experience them before they are auctioned off to their new owners. Who knows, that could be you!

We have been so excited seeing what everyone has come up with and are sure you will be too! With an interactive app to guide you through, it makes it so easy. 

Read the official media release below to get all the details, including a description of the concept, and the specifics for the auction itself. You will also find a gallery showing off some of the works to be found in the collection!

All the details:

What: Frame Works – walkable art trail and auction
When: Art trail 22-30 April | Art auction 2 May
Where: Walkable trail from Britomart to AUT through the Laneways, High Street and Lorne Street
Who: 90 artists including Jeff Thomson, Evan Woodruffe, Anna Leyland and Peata Larkin. All proceeds go to the Asylum Seekers Support Trust
How: download the STQRY Frame Work app, grab a map

For auction and event info, visit http://frameworks.org.nz/

Official Media Release:

More than 90 artists from around New Zealand are contributing to an art walk around Auckland CBD to raise money for the Asylum Seekers Support Trust. 

The inaugural event, entitled Frame Works, sees artists given a wooden picture frame to transform into a unique and desirable work of art.

Artists include sculptor Jeff Thomson, painters Evan Woodruffe, Flox, Peata Larkin and Anna Leyland. 

From 22 April, these frames will be displayed in shop windows in a walkable trail from Britomart to AUT through the Laneways, High Street and Lorne Street. 

Art lovers, families and the community will be encouraged to find and choose their favourite pieces, with an app and a map to help locate the artworks, learn about the artist, bid online or donate directly to the charity. 

The event will culminate with an art auction on 2 May. The frames will be sold in a gala event, by live and online auctions, with art auctioneer Charles Ninow of Bowerbank Ninow, at the Quay Project in Britomart.

This fundraiser is run by the Asylum Seekers Support Trust - a charitable organisation that advocates for and supports asylum seekers – and proceeds will be used to continue our important work with these vulnerable members of our community.

Event curator, Alix Bachmann, an experienced arts manager, has been working on the event on a mainly voluntary basis for over a year. She says the ‘frame work’ theme reflects the needs of the asylum seekers that the event is supporting: 

“For many people, and some entire social groups, the framework of their lives has suddenly disappeared because of war, a change of political regime, persecution, violence and terror. They are looking for a safe haven, a place to rebuild their lives, to re-establish their framework of home, work, family and friends.”