As part of ReachOut’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, we’re holding an auction for pieces of art donated by artists within our network. We asked a number of artists for a piece that they felt fit with ReachOut’s work supporting young people from under-resourced communities, helping them grow in character, confidence and creating real change.
Take a look below to find out more about all the pieces on offer and the amazing artists who created them.
If you’d like to submit a bit you can place your bid here or use the ‘Submit a Bid’ buttons below.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to the artists who generously donated their work.
Please note: this auction is only open to people residing in the United Kingdom. If you are successful, delivery and collection arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis. You can withdraw your bid at any point by emailing nikita.smith@reachoutuk.org.
Annick Wolfers – Common Ground
Annick Wolfers is a Photographer & Filmmaker based in east London. Originally from a small town in rural Luxembourg, she trained in fine art – first in Strasbourg, France then later at St Martins in London. Known for her painterly & ethereal imagery – her work switches seamlessly between photography & film, each part complimenting the other.
The print is taken from her current exhibition, Common Ground, exploring the ecological importance of Wanstead Flats in East London, and the relationship local people have with it. The picture is of the two iconic high-rise flats appearing through fog on the flats.
Website: annickwolfers.com | Instagram @annickwolfers
Limited Edition Framed Print | 25.5cm x 20.5cm
Starting Bid: £75
Sarah Strachan – We are Here, Here We Are.
“My paintings and textiles are based on Sweetheart Cushions made in Hospitals by British Soldiers during World War 1. The making of the cushions was a treatment for injured soldiers and one of the roots of occupational therapy.After WW2 The Beveridge Report of 1942 informed the founding of the Welfare State. The core belief of the report is to address need at the point at which it is required and most importantly, without judgement, resonates with our current state.
My work is a call for care and compassion, and seeks to be critical of our media which vilifies those most in need of all of our compassion. Apolitical and non partisan and without judgement, the attention grabbing slogans seek to both offer care and demand attention. Using the language of remembrance they are a plea to be acknowledged. Some of the works displayed are commissions commemorating significant personal events.”
Paint on canvas framed | 53cm x 43cm.
Both pieces come as a set.
Starting Bid: £100
Dora Konstantinou – Three Boys Asking for Help
Dora Konstantinou, is an award-winning artist, who studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Mr Giannis Valavanidis and Mr Michalis Manoussakis. She has held numerous exhibitions and has represented herself in China and Moldova. Prior to studying at the Athens School, Dora obtained a diploma for Primary Education. From 2007-2016 she worked as a teacher in the public secondary educational sector.
Paint on canvas | 120cm x 80cm
Starting Bid: £400
Samuel Olanrewaju – The Plain Black Art Project.
“Last year my cousin came back to Nigeria after 6 years of being away. I hadn’t seen him since I was 11 years old and when we started speaking I told him I was interested in art and showed him some of my drawings. I was interested in developing my digital art skills but I couldn’t afford to buy the necessary equipment. He told me that his company (The Plain Shop) would buy me an iPad and an iPencil if we could work together on some pieces of his characters.
That’s how the Plain Black Art Project was born. Over the past 10 months I have worked with him tirelessly to create these 3 pieces – Tijani, The Black Joker and Cassidy.
I have recently moved to Middlesbourough as I’ve always wanted to go to university in the UK. As an international student, I will be saving up for my university tuition and I hope to do this through my art.” Proceeds will be split between ReachOut and the artist.
High Quality Giclée Print on to foamex. All pieces will come with a bespoke deck of playing cards from the Plain Black Art Project.
Cassidy (landscape) 40cm x 27.5cm
Black Joker (portrait) 28.5cm x 35.5cm
Tijana (portrait) 28.5cm x 35.5cm
Starting Bid: £100 per print.
Heath Kane – Rich Enough to be Batman
After a career in advertising and design, Heath Kane decided to change his focus. His art explores political and social narratives. He makes it in response to what he sees happening in the world around him, in order to get people talking about the issues we face, both individually and as a community. The piece is an artist proof screen print that has been hand finished.
Website: heathkane.co.uk| Instagram @byheathkane
Framed Limited Edition Artist Proof Screen Print | 59.5cm x 84cm
Starting Bid: £300
Fipsi Seilern – Laura
Born in the UK, Fipsi Seilern is a London based artist working across several mediums. She attended the Charles Cecil painting atelier in Florence, and has exhibited in London, Berlin, New York, Vienna, Stockholm and Murcia. Public interventions under the pseudonym PANG have shaped an ongoing dialogue between graffiti and classical painting.
She graduated with an MA in Fine Art at City and Guilds of London Art School in 2020. Interested in social psychology and human behaviour, Seilern takes much of her subject matter from her immediate environment paralleled with observations concerning the timeless and inescapable aspects of mankind.
Framed charcoal drawing on Fabriano Roma paper | 60 x 70 cm
Starting Bid: £400
Website: fipsiseilern.squarespace.com| Instagram @pang_artworks
“At first, I was really hesitant to take on the Project Leader role, despite having mentored with ReachOut. However, with the support of the team I’ve really developed my skills. For example, at the Mentee Graduation, I stood up in front of 200 people and presented an award which is something I would never ever have been able to have done before, and isn’t an opportunity I could gain in my other situations.”
Amy McCutcheon, Project Leader at ReachOut Academy, Dean Trust Ardwick, Manchester.
“Being able to spend the summer working at Rede Partners, was an amazing experience. Whether it was working in HR or Finance, I learned so much about the world of private equity, made great connections with fantastic people and I got to learn first-hand what it would be like to work there! I really believe that I can go onto build the career I want now I’ve been a part for a workplace for real”
Victor Adekunle, 18 years old, ReachOut Ambassador, London
“When I first my mentee, she was very reluctant to participate in the sessions. Now, I see a completely different person! Her confidence has grown and she is happy to join in! She still has some self-doubt when it comes to academic work, but that’s what I hope to help her overcome, because she is a very bright person!
Through mentoring, I’ve learnt I’m a lot more patient than I realised. There will be days where she refuses to participate and those are the days that I really see the importance of the character strengths, for both the mentees and the mentors. It also makes it easier for the mentee to understand the character strengths, when I use them myself”
Myrtle, ReachOut Club mentor at Tufnell Primary School, London
“There are more distractions than ever outside of school, and the commitment of our students to attend ReachOut sessions is testament to the value they place on the relationships they foster there, and the challenge and enjoyment they provide.
ReachOut’s focus on communication skills and character development has become an important aspect of our provision of support for these students. The opportunity to relate to a positive role- model other than their usual teachers is key to the programme’s impact, and the evidence of this has been seen in the students’ attendance, resilience and to their overall progress across all the subjects in the school.”
Thomas Janvrin, Assistant Vice Principal at the Petchey Academy London
