Sixty percent of the total proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the Shepherds Field Children's Village. The other 40 percent will go to the artists to cover their production costs and fees.
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Collectors and art enthusiasts buy calendars during the opening of the charity exhibition "Living Space" at the Red Gate Gallery in northeast China's 798 art district on November 22, 2008. [CRI]
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The project was initiated by Brian Wallace, director of Red Gate Gallery, and Zhou Jirong, deputy head of printmaking at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Wallace says the two came up with the idea for the charity art exhibition in 2003.
"I guess the main benefit of it is that it brings many different parts together. We have the foundation; we have the gallery; we also have a lot of Chinese customers who are able to afford the calendars, as well as the foreigners. "
The artists involved in the project visit the orphans at the Shepherds Field Children's Village frequently. Artist Zhou Jirong was often deeply touched whenever he visits the children.
"I feel very sad when I visit the village's children, since they are all suffering from diseases. Some don't have eyes; some suffer from hydrocephalus. Cleft lip is not a big problem among them. I am happy to do something for them. I hope they know that although they were abandoned by their parents, many people still love them."
Artists have made prints for six consecutive calendars, each with its own theme. The theme of 2008 calendar is the Olympics. For 2009, the artists will focus on environmental protection.
"Living Space" addresses the theme of environmental protection with works representing various aspects of our living space. Art enthusiasts can find prints made by various printing techniques such as lithographs, woodcuts, etchings and silk-screen.
The exhibition will last until the end of this month. The Red Gate Gallery will sell the calendars until they are all gone.
