The second Project5 event in late October auctioned a total value of $15,000 at Leonard Joel House in Double Bay. Christina Kyparissa and Jackie Leewai report.

Three artworks were successfully sold, with the event raising $5,000 more than the first installment in May this year.

It’s established the growing investment into street art and raising money for Information Cultural Exchange (ICE) to assist in creative projects for talented youth in the Western suburbs of Sydney.

“We are very happy that Project5 is getting great response from the buyers, and raising $5,000 more than last time proves that the bar will be getting higher and higher, and we’ll be able to support ICE and give more opportunities to young and talented people, to be expressed and to create” Bill Dimas from aMBUSH Gallery said.

Project5(2) Auction. Image: aMBUSH Gallery

The fourth piece by WeBuyYourKids did not sell on the evening, however Mr. Dimas confirmed there is an interested buyer, and is in the process of being sold for $3,000.

Anne Phillips, Head of Art at Leonard Joel Auction House was pleased with the results.

“The auction today was very successful overall and the amount raised was a great goal that we managed to achieve.”

The team at ICE was equally thrilled with everything from the artists’ involvement; the works produced; the gallery and the auction house for achieving a great event while having fun and being inspired.

“This night was more proof of the great idea Bill and John (aMBUSH gallery) had of creating Project5. It’s nice to have people supporting you and feeling that your work is being recognized. Having them and the Project on our side gives us confidence to keep up the work we are doing and give more to the young people” said Kristy Mayhew, Marketing and Communications Manager at ICE.

The Project5 installment in Darling Harbour, and auction, have been a run of events facilitated with ICE in a very exciting time for the organisation and the team.

In late September, they moved into their new office premises which was previously a St Vincent De Paul warehouse and retail store, on the Corner of Victoria Road and Marsden Street in Parramatta.

The SWITCH Digital Arts Centre launched on Wednesday 3 November at the new office premises and to a packed room, in a hearty yet exciting show of current and past projects managed by the ICE team.

ICE received the Project5 donation as a gift that will assist to more of their projects already in the planning stage.

Anthony Lister’s painting was the piece with the biggest demand and managed to sell for $6,200. Anthony was present at the auction and to support the cause of Project5.

“It doesn’t have to do with whether or not my art was sold for the money; it could have potentially sold in New York or anywhere else to a collector who would want it just for what it is. It’s about raising money with our art – with Street Art” said Anthony Lister.

The working combination of ICE, aMBUSH Gallery and the arrangement of some of Australia’s best street artists, confirms the growing success of the project and generates greater appreciation for street art and its development.