The Art of War
Contributions by Kate Burton, Susan Diamond and others.
The range of this town’s responses to the Ukrainian crisis has been pretty impressive. In a short space of time there have been all manner of fundraiser events, from rallies to rock gigs, piano competitions to jumble sales. But just how much can artists do?
The example of Bernard McGuigan is instructive. He found himself so moved by the plight of the Ukrainian refugees that he decided to act. He has raised £5700 for Ukrainian orphans now living in Poland, by raffling a beautiful piece of his work entitled Mother. The piece was finished just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and, although under normal circumstances he’s very reluctant to part with a newly completed piece of work, Bernard did so this time because he felt that the title and timing seemed appropriate, and a very small loss in comparison to that being made by Ukrainian refugees, who are mostly mothers and children who have been forced to give up their family, loved ones and home.
Peanut by Russell Baker
Liz Gilmore, Director of Hastings Contemporary, kindly agreed to pick out the winner, which was number 17, drawn on Saturday 26 March at the Gallery (rather appropriately the day before Mother’s Day). The sculpture will go to a lucky person in St Leonard’s on Sea.
The funds were presented in a cheque to Dominika Hicks, who has been closely involved in fundraising and supporting orphans from Ukraine who are now settled in her home town in Poland, Duszniki, which has generously taken in many refugees from Ukraine.
All the money will be spent on items the children will need and go towards their ongoing support. At present there are 79 orphans but roughly another 80 are scheduled to join them. Money is also being sent to help with unaccompanied children who are waiting for their mothers to join them at a station in Poland. People who bought tickets in the raffle will be able to keep in touch with the situation and anyone who wishes to donate further money can use the ‘go fund me’ link at the end of this article.
Susan Diamond, recently featured in this paper, turned her depression about the state of the world into action. Despite the fact that Covid was making her feel distinctly unwell, she sent out a message on social media asking if local artists would donate work for an art auction, to raise money for refugees. Interestingly the money being raised was for those suffering in Ukraine and Afghanistan. She was overwhelmed with the response from Hastings’ artists. Susan said “the wonderful Chris Barnett from the Piper was brilliant,” allowing the upstairs of the pub to be the venue. She also added that the “fantastic Richard Fryer” gave his splendid services as an auctioneer. The whole event was somewhat improvised, artists were even spontaneously bringing work on the night. Agnieszka Dabrowska, for example, who had raised funds at the Electro Gallery only weeks before, turned up with a piece as it was happening. Considering that the event was hastily orchestrated in a matter of days, it was a spectacular success, raising over £6000. Richard Fryer said that he was “amazed at the fantastic generosity and solidarity of the Hastings and St Leonards public.”
Kino-Teatr in Norman Road put on a variety evening with live music, performance, film and their own art auction. Some of the artwork was by Ukrainian artists. All the proceeds from the event went to Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF), the charity dedicated to bringing medical assistance to those suffering in war zones. Russell Baker said that the show was “one of several events in which we aim to raise money for MSF to support children and families caught up in the dreadful situation in Ukraine.” He added that the Acapella Bellas, singing music from Ukraine, Rumania, Bulgaria and Georgia, will be performing in one of the Sunday morning concerts – with coffee and croissants – on 8 May.
Doubtless there are many other events occurring in the town that are not mentioned here. And apologies for that.
And maybe we should not be too self-congratulatory about the town’s efforts – it will mean nothing to Putin. But, nevertheless, it is, as Paul Weller once said, a start.
• The go fund me page is: www.gofundme.com/f/help-ukrainian-children-in-polandlocal
• If there is an appetite to run another raffle to win a piece of Bernard’s sculpture, he would be willing to do this again. Contact him on [email protected]
• To donate to MSF go to www.msf.org
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