The appalling scenes in Ukraine in recent weeks compelled so many people from all walks of life, wanting to help in any way they can. Whether it’s opening their doors to welcome refugees into their homes or public displays of defiance and solidarity, the outpouring of support has been enormous. The Art & Design community has been no different with countless projects and special edition fundraising prints being produced over the last few weeks. This article contains a selection of prints that are available to buy and some ongoing projects that are all raising funds for various charities that are doing incredible work in the face of such a grave situation.
1/Many - John Pedder
1/many is a charitable art-trading initiative set up by woodcut specialist, John Pedder. Found on Instagram via the hashtag, oneofmanypostcard, various artists offer small postcard sized artworks for free and the lucky recipients give some pennies to a charity of their choice (whatever they feel is appropriate). The most recent edition of this project is focused on raising money for Ukraine and Pedder’s ‘Hope’ print has raised a whopping £2,495 for Save The Children. John talks about the origins of the project and its latest iteration:
"1/Many began in 2018 when I was looking for a way to use up the ink left over after bigger prints. I came up with the idea of carving a postcard-sized block and using scrap paper to press small prints with the ink. As they began building up I decided to offer to send them to people for free on the understanding that when they received them they might decide how much they would have paid for them and donate that amount or an amount they could afford to maybe a homeless person or a foodbank. When I posted the idea on my Instagram account I asked if anybody fancied having a go with me and although I did the first one by myself soon people began to join in, attracted by the simplicity. 4 years later and it’s grown into a veritable army of makers with not only printmakers but potters, painters, collagers, jewellers, bag makers, sculptors, confectioners and even mix-tapers. It’s success has been built around the slightly misleading hashtag oneofmanypostcard and has developed a reputation for small, local charitable donations close to the hearts of the donators.
"The biggest surprise came from the positivity that the contributing artists and donators got from it because although it attracts many well-known creators now, a beginner can get involved on the same footing and take advantage of the now powerful hashtag. It’s also no real burden for me because I simply do what I’ve always done, set a date and see who turns up, and if for some bizarre reason nobody did, I still have leftover ink and scraps of paper to muck about with so I’ll just carry on. Nobody knows how much has been raised but I’m willing to bet it’s a fair few quid. The one difference about the 1/Many emergency Ukraine Appeal is that I’ve left it open-ended to allow people to get involved when they get the chance as a lot of artists have been looking for a way to help in some way."
Just a few of the artists involved at the moment include Sue Coffey, Usual Malarkey, Caroline Maddison, Laura Weston and Fiona Wilson. To take part yourself or to find artists involved, visit oneofmanypostcard and get donating.
Doodle4Ukraine
Throughout March, artist collective Doodle4Ukraine took to businesses around the North and decorated their windows, for a donation to their Just Giving page which stands at a grand total of £6,193 (at time of writing) with all proceeds going to the British Red Cross.
In addition to visiting businesses, there was a downloadable pack for homes so you could add support to your window. There are so many fantastic examples, it’s well worth checking out the Doodle4Ukraine hashtag to see them all.
The artists who took part in the hand lettering were Myro Doodles, Lobster House Studios, Lucie Cooke Design, Feather Lettered and The Little Lettering Desk. While the collective is no longer actively decorating, you can still donate to the cause here.
Love will Save the Day - Limbo and Ginger
Print designers Limbo and Ginger have released this typographic Giclée print with all profits from this print will be donated to Ukraine and victims of the invasion.
Along with everyone else, we’re completely heartbroken and appalled by what we’ve been seeing in Ukraine. We’ve decided to release the Ukraine colour edition of LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY, pushing the hope that peace can be found and that an end can be found for all this madness.
You can buy the print here
The Fleet of Karmaliuk - Rob Turpin
Illustrator, designer, podcaster and Yorkshireman, Rob Turpin, has released a special print splitting profits between UNICEF and the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Titled ‘The Fleet of Karmaliuk’, the sci-fi print continues Rob’s illustrations of space ships from far-flung imagined worlds.
The 14 ships of The Fleet of Karmaliuk were an offshoot of the Ukrainian Navy’s off-world assets.
Defending Ukrainian people and assets, The Fleet of Karmaliuk inflicted huge and demoralising losses on the imperialist invaders, eventually forcing them back to isolation on their home asteroids.
You can buy the print here
Dove of Peace - Rach Appleby
Raising money for the British Red Cross, this 9.5 x 10cm lino print titled 'Dove of Peace' is Rachel Appleby’s contribution to the paintadove4ukraine hashtag.
You can buy the print here
Love for Ukraine – Siân Moulder
Released on St Davids Day by Welsh artist Siân Moulder, this linocut of an intricate Welsh spoon is raising money for the Red Cross. St David said “Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd” or “Do the little things” – That sums it up perfectly.
You can buy the print here
We Stand With Ukraine - Chloe Watts
Raising money for Choose Love’s Ukraine Crisis Fundraiser, Manchester-based illustrator, Chloe Watts, has released two A4 risograph prints showing her solidarity with Ukraine.
You can buy the print here
Print for Ukraine - Abby Sumner
Limited edition of 50 prints, this 21x14.8cm risograph by Abby Sumner, is giving 100% profits to the British Red Cross and DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
You can buy the print here
Ukraine Fundraiser - Sombrero Printmaking
Chesterfield-based printmaker/artist/lino print teacher, Sombrero Printmaking (a.k.a Dave) has produced a limited edition of 10 lino prints, raising money for the British Red Cross. Each hand-printed A4 print is unique and suitably defiant. As Dave succinctly puts it, “War is rubbish”. Hear-hear.
You can buy the print here
Seeds of Peace - Molly Muldoon
This hand-carved lino print from Molly Muldoon combines the national flower of Ukraine, the sunflower, with the CND icon to spread a message of peace. The hand-pressed A4 lino print is raising money for the British Red Cross.
You can buy the print here
Hope Stationery Society Box - For The Love Of The North
Available to purchase throughout March ahead of its early April release, the Hope Stationery Society Box includes a notepad, notebook, cards, postcards and print by some incredible artists. Assembled by For the Love of the North, an independent arts and crafts shop based in Whitley Bay, celebrating local creatives from the North, will be donating 100% of the profits to the British Red Cross. The box includes work from Lisa Kirkbride Designs, Nichola Cowdery, May Summer-Perkins, Fox and Fauna, Little Flowers by Slingo, Pinetree Paint, Natasha Cole, Sofia Barton Illustration, Now Then Sunshine, Natasha Armstrong and Rho Rho Illustration.
You can buy the box here
For more ways to donate, you can visit the appeals below or read more from Donna Ferguson, The Guardian, who has compiled a fantastic resource for ways to help out.
Comments