WORLD shares 30th Birthday love with IHC
IHC is delighted that WORLD has chosen to support the IHC Art Awards with a special Limited Edition project as part of its 30th Birthday year celebration.
Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet (WORLD Co-founder) has been involved with the IHC Art Awards since 2009 and became IHC Art Awards Ambassador in 2017. The IHC Art Awards are open to any New Zealander aged 13 or over with an intellectual disability and draws hundreds of entries each year.
WORLD will be celebrating its 30th Birthday later this year, but while details remain under wraps Dame Denise says the work of some selected finalists from the 2019 IHC Art Awards will feature.
“A couple of pieces of chosen art work will be selected to be reproduced on reusable bags to be sold throughout New Zealand,” Dame Denise says. “The artists will receive a payment and the profits will go to the IHC Art Awards.”
“We’ll also be celebrating artists with intellectual disabilities and art at a gala event held later in the year.”
When Dame Denise became a dame in the 2018 New Year Honours, it was in recognition of both her services to fashion and the community.
IHC Group Chief Executive Ralph Jones says Dame Denise has shown a huge commitment to people with intellectual disabilities, including artists. “The IHC Art Awards have run for 16 years and Dame Denise has been a key part of its growing success. She has been generous with her artistic knowledge and time both as a public ambassador and behind the scenes with individual artists.”
One individual artist impressed the WORLD team so much that she joined them in 2013 and has worked for WORLD ever since.
Dame Denise says the IHC Art Awards is a highlight of hers and WORLD’s year.
“We are delighted and honoured to have WORLD’s support,” says Ralph Jones.
About the IHC Art Awards
The IHC Art Awards provides artists with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to have their talent recognised, their voices heard and to sell their work. We get hundreds of entries every year with art selling well and some artists going on to exhibit nationally or internationally.
The IHC Art Awards are open to all New Zealanders with an intellectual disability, age 13 or over, regardless of whether they use IHC or IDEA services. The artworks traditionally cover everything from sculptures, installations and textile art, to painting and drawing.
The major sponsor of the IHC Art Awards is the Holdsworth Charitable Trust.
The IHC Art Awards provides artists with an intellectual disability the opportunity to have their talent recognised, their voices heard and to sell their work. It highlights the talent and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet – IHC Art Awards Ambassador
WORLD Co-Founder Dame Denise has been involved with the IHC Art Awards since 2009 and became an Ambassador in 2016, something she is very honoured to do.
Learn more about the IHC Art Awards here: https://ihc.org.nz/art-awards-2019
In 2012 Dame Denise met an artist through the Art Awards, and we have employed Jojo part time in WORLD's Head Office since then. "It is about supporting people in whatever way you can. They give back so much more than you could ever imagine, we have learnt so much from Jojo," Denise says.
WORLD's favourite pieces of head office art work were bought from an IHC Artist ... and were painted by our very own Jojo!
This work is part of a series known as 'Joanna's Unusual Women' and according to Jojo are portraits of her sisters who all have unique personalities, which is what makes them unusual.
Join Dame Denise, Jojo and the WORLD team in supporting the IHC through their Annual Art Awards by purchasing artworks here.
Dame Denise spends time with the IHC travelling around New Zealand working with IHC artists and encouraging members of the community to put forward their work.
She has recently been in Oamaru where she was warmly welcomed by the talented artists!
Learn more about the IHC Art Awards here: https://ihc.org.nz/art-awards-2019