Media release - January 28, 2009

NZ artists shaving their heads for leukaemia charity

The NZ Art Guild and Leukaemia and Blood Foundation of NZ (LBF) hopes to raise $10,000 next week at the opening night of the "Shave an Artist" Charity Art Auction at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland .

Artists' heads to be shaved bald during the February 3 evening auction include Sofia Minson, Sharlene Schmidt, Helen Sherrock, Marimba Powley, Jennifer Christiansen, Juliet Cryns and Victoria Anderson. Artists and friends will have their heads shaved alongside their art as the works are being auctioned.

The exhibition officially opens on February 3 and runs all month. Sophia Elise, Tony Brown, Sally Blyth, Beate Minderjahn, Nancy Frazer and Tanya Dann are other artists who have donated art works which will be auctioned off at a one of a kind, not to missed charity event.

The organiser Sophia Elise from the NZ Art Guild said unfortunately many people had been touched in some way by a blood cancer or disorder and had experienced the pain that losing a loved one causes.

``Six NZ Children and adults are diagnosed with blood cancer or disorder every day. Support that the LBF offers those people and families makes a huge difference to those lives. They receive no government funding so we are fundraising next week to ensure they can continue with their invaluable work.''

To coincide with this event 35 artists from around NZ will be having a month long exhibition of original, diverse artworks depicting "life" in all its facets.

All the proceeds from the art auction and head shaves and 20 percent from all exhibition artwork sales will be donated to the LBF.

Ends

Note, photo opportunity: Artist Sofia Minson of Kohimarama will be the first artist to have her head shaved about 7.15pm