Artists of the Transplant Links Charity Deck of Cards
This week is the last chance to bid for an original artwork in the Transplant Link Charity Deck of Cards Auction to raise funds for life-saving work for patients with kidney failure worldwide. We’ve been talking to a few of the artists to find out more about their submissions, and their inspiration to contribute to the TLC Deck of Cards.
Above: Anthony Frost with his artwork Ten of Diamonds, Acrylic on paper, 30 x 42 cm
The TLC Deck of Cards is a collaboration between upcoming and well-known artists and public figures who have been commissioned by Dame Floella Benjamin to each design a playing card from a deck of cards. The sale of the original artworks, decks of cards and posters help to fund the life saving work of TLC in Africa and the Caribbean.
Jackson’s is delighted to be supporting the TLC Deck of Cards fundraising art auction for Transplant Links Charity (TLC). TLC’s Patron Dame Floella Benjamin invites us all to join her for the auction, online or in person at Ewbanks Auction House.
King of Hearts, 2022
Grayson Perry CBE RA
Digital art print on premium fine art paper, 42 x 59.4 cm
Place a bid for this signed Grayson Perry artwork, King of Hearts here.
Grayson Perry with his King of Hearts
The cards together make Volume 3 of the TLC Decks of Cards, which will soon join Volumes 1 and 2 available at jacksonsart.com. Proceeds from all three volumes of the will go to Transplant Links Charity.
Joining Dame Floella Benjamin, Grayson Perry and Richard E Grant are a host of exceptional British artists, sharing their talent to help raise funds for Transplant Links Charity.
Dame Floella Benjamin with Ace of Hearts – Heart of Gold, 2022
Dame Floella Benjamin
Mixed media (paint and 3D sculpture), 29 x 34 cm
Place a bid for Heart of Gold by Dame Floella Benjamin here.
Two of Hearts, 2022
Richard E. Grant
Sharpie on postcard, 10 x 15 cm
Place a bid for the Two of Hearts by Richard E. Grant here
Meet Some of the Artists Contributing to TLC Deck of Cards Volume 3
Bridget Moore Sen RBA NEAC RWS has contributed to every volume of the TLC Deck of Cards. She tells us that “Initially it had not occurred to me that in some countries there weren’t the skills to enable someone to get a kidney transplant. By donating a piece of work that goes towards raising funds to allow training and support for this I’m really glad to know I’ve had a small hand in helping.”
Bridget told us about how she approaches creating her artwork for the Deck of Cards: “Fortunately the subject matter that I am interested in lends itself quite well to a playing card. After a bit of cogitating the idea of a couple of little performers struck me as a do-able design for the Two of Diamonds. It always does take a few attempts before settling on something that works while incorporating the number of diamonds into the painting so that it reads coherently can be a slight challenge”.
Two of Diamonds, 2022
Bridget Moore
Gouache on board, 17 x 22 cm
Place a bid on Two of Diamonds by Bridget Moore here
George Underwood, well known for his artworks on album covers for David Bowie and T Rex, has painted the Queen of Diamonds. George told us that when he was approached to participate in the TLC Deck of Cards “I thought, yes. I want to do that. Also, I am a fan of the charity”
When asked what steps he took to decide what to paint, he said “My approach to the artwork was simple really… I just wanted to paint an image which would work as a playing card and stand up on its own as an interesting piece of work – not dissimilar to the types of paintings I normally do. The picture cards appealed to me because I like to invent characters”
Queen of Hearts, 2022
Michael Foreman OBE
Watercolour on paper, 16.5 x 24.5 cm
Place a bid for the Queen of Hearts by Michael Foreman OBE here
Lizzie Riches has been a supporter of Transplant Links Charity for a long time, and for this volume, she created the Three of Hearts. Lizzie tells us her inspiration for taking part “I lost a dear friend to kidney failure some years ago. He was a wonderful human being and a great loss to the world so when I came across TLC it felt natural to participate. I originally chose the two of hearts but it became unavailable, so I tried to think of an image for the three instead. The heart is a potent symbol so I dreamed up a set of heart shaped jewels for someone to wear. I have never been so busy as I am now. I think people turn to art in difficult times as a kind of consolation and I am very happy that my work seems to bring joy to some who need that.”
Three of Hearts, 2022
Lizzie Riches
Oil on canvas, 18 x 24 cm
Place a bid on Three of Hearts by Lizzie Riches here
Watercolour artist Susie Lidstone wanted to create an artwork that connected to her own problems with kidney failure “Thinking of creating something that had a strong bond with the TLC Founder, Jennie, as well with my own kidney failure, and also my father’s, made me want to try and create something.”
When asked about how she approached the artwork she told us “My artwork is the Jack of Spades created using watercolour and acrylic. I wanted to try and convey the shapes of plants and flowers and the connection that all life has whether its creation is from mother nature or human. My painting shows plants growing with the interweaving of stems that twist together forming a bond that is difficult to separate unless disease fractures them. Flowers have so much in common with the shape of the kidneys and the amazing structures within each that has a lyrical connection but can be broken so easily which is why the work of TLC is so vital. As we plant and see our labours flourish we need to cherish all life we are all precious.”
Jack of Spades, 2022
Susie Lidstone
Acrylic and watercolour on paper, 29 x 37.7 cm
Place a bid on Jack of Spades by Susie Lidstone here
The Founder of TLC, Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris and her daughter and TLC CEO Aimee Jewitt-Harris, are both keen artists in their spare time. The Deck of Cards was an idea that Aimee had wanted to pursue for many years, and saw it as a great opportunity to combine with fundraising for the work of TLC.
Aimee said “This King of Clubs began as an exploration into the history of NYC Club Kids – artists and drag queens who were known for their flamboyant behaviour and outrageous costumes. I was also inspired by the headdresses used in Venetian carnivals, and modern Drag Queens who smash together outrageously beautiful and feminine clothing pieces with hyper masculine beards and muscles. This, together with my love for natural history and my interest in plants and wildlife, has resulted in a King who is strong, fierce, flamboyant and beautiful, the kind of king I’d like to know.”
King of Clubs, 2022
Aimee Jewitt-Harris
Digital collage print on archival paper, 29.7 x 42 cm
Place a bid on the King of Clubs by Aimee Jewitt-Harris here
“For Jennie and I, our choices of card depends on which cards haven’t already been taken! This year we realised at the last minute that we only had one Joker, so Jennie ended up doing two artworks”
Jennie commented “my work is very much inspired by historical women with a story to tell. The Jack of Clubs is the cross-dressing cabaret performer Vesta Tilley, and the Joker is inspired by early 20th century ballet dancers. I often transform inspirational historical women into butterflies in the spirit of Mexican folklore that butterflies carry the souls of the deceased.”
Jack of Clubs, 2022
Jennie Jewitt-Harris
Oil and collage on canvas board, 40 x 50 cm
Place a bid on the Jack of Clubs – Vesta Tilley by Jennie Jewitt-Harris here
The Joker, 2022
Jennie Jewitt-Harris
Oil on canvas board, 40 x 50 cm
Place a bid on The Joker by Jennie Jewitt Harris here
Jennie added “We are so grateful to Floella and all the artists for their generosity and incredible creativity in producing the artworks for the auction, that will then become Volume 3 of the TLC Deck of Cards. The variety of interpretation of the theme is extraordinary, and creates a unique gorgeous mini exhibition in a box!”
L – R:
Seven of Hearts by Jan Kevan-Marcelo
Four of Clubs by Dan Jennings
Joker by Chris Gilvan
L – R:
Ten of Clubs by Hazel Partridge
Five of Diamonds by Annie Boisseau
Seven of Spades by John Howard
L – R:
Three of Spades by Katie Ponder
Seven of Diamonds by Vanessa Gardiner
Three of Clubs by Sean Jefferson
Click here to find out more about the Deck of Cards auction, view the artworks and place a bid.
Or join us in person on Friday 2nd December at 6.00 pm for the reception before the auction starts at 7.00 pm. The invitation is open to all and free to attend.
The TLC Deck of Cards will be available soon on jacksonsart.com. All the proceeds will go to Transplant Links Charity.