Art Blog

Latitudes and The Lockdown Collection join forces in new online auction in aid of the Vulnerable Artists Fund

Artists have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Many have lost their livelihoods and have little means to survive. In April 2020, The Lockdown Collection (TLC) curated and auctioned a collection of Covid-19-related artworks by renowned South African artists, with the proceeds going into a fund that would support artists during the pandemic. The auction was so successful that the team extended the project with The Extension Collection and The Student Collection.

To date, TLC has paid out over 500 grants - an amount of R1,5 million - from its Vulnerable Artists Fund (VAF) to artists across South Africa. It also donated R250 000 to the President's SA Solidarity Fund, for the benefit of all South Africans in need.

In March 2021, Latitudes and TLC are coming together to host an online auction created by 21 South African artists. The new collection - The Open Call Collection - is the result of a beautiful synergy: TLC called for new artwork donations and submissions from South African artists. Latitudes carefully considered each of the hundreds of submissions, before selecting 21 artists to contribute to the collection.

"The Lockdown Collection has demonstrated that art has value that we cannot put a price on. Art can mobilise a community, it can uplift the vulnerable and it can tell a story that moves us," says Lucy MacGarry, co-founder of Latitudes Online. Roberta Coci of Latitudes Online, explains that the auction will run online for 21 days. "We've seen that there's great interest in art from southern Africa, and we anticipate that our global network of buyers will be enthusiastic about this very exciting auction." The TLC Open Call Collection will launch on 21 March 2021 on Latitudes Online. To receive the full collection of works as it is released, sign up to Latitudes First View community.