Db Explains Inspiration For Charity Artwork

I know you think you’re awful square…

You’ve most likely already heard about David and Iman‘s artwork contributions to the 21st Century Leaders charity organisation’s campaign: whateverittakes.org. If you haven’t, then as you’ve probably guessed, that’s them above.

First up in the slideshow above is a black and white enlargement of the pair’s stick figures, (more of which shortly) followed by the front and back of David and Iman’s plate designs respectively. David’s work is entitled: Peace Thru Art and Iman’s is Peace Thru Tolerance.

You can view the plate designs at your own speed via these short cuts: Peace Thru Art (Plate Reference – DBow1) and Peace Thru Tolerance (Plate Reference – Iman1).

The porcelain plates will be sold by tableware distributors in 23 countries. Other products include wristbands, T-shirts and mugs. We’ll post more details on how to buy these items as they become available. Selected wristbands are already on sale at whateverittakes.org, (the Bowie one is listed as “coming soon”) and also at Virgin Megastores from tomorrow (June 19th).

Here’s an edited excerpt from the 21st Century Leaders site explaining further what they’re about…

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21st Century Leaders is a unique charity artwork project. The concept is simple. We gather artworks from leaders in all fields and each ambassador donates a symbol of hope. These artworks are being used to create products for the 21CL label.

The goal of 21st Century Leaders‘ charitable brand is to sell ‘merchandise with a meaning’. All products are manufactured under fair working conditions and are sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

100% of net profits are donated to charity. The aim is to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes.

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I asked David about the similarity between his and Iman’s stick figure designs, and what the inspiration behind them was. Here’s how he very kindly elaborated just for you info-hungry BowieNetters…

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“Iman and I based the square and triangular heads of the ‘mum and dad’ on the work of the late British sculptor Lynn Chadwick who we had met a couple of times. When I took Iman on a driving holiday of Britain in the 90’s we stopped off at his wonderful house and studio near Slough and had tea with him and his family.

Iman had, two years before, bought me the most wonderful piece by Chadwick from the fifties called Teddy Boy and Girl so it was a treat to get to meet the guy. After he died I believe D. Hirst bought the property.”

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So now you know, kidz. What do you mean, you wanna know the inspiration behind David’s T-shirt design type thing on the front of the plate too? Get outta here. Enough already, etc.