PRESS RELEASE

PUZZLES WITH PURPOSE ANNOUNCES A BENEFIT SALES INITIATIVE ART X PUZZLES OFFERING SUPPORT AND RELIEF DURING COVID-19

 

A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Artist Relief and additional charities of artist’s choice including Black Lives Matter and First Responders Children’s Foundation 

NEW YORK, NY | September 14, 2020 — PUZZLES WITH PURPOSE today announces ART x PUZZLES, an online benefit sales initiative conceived to support artists during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis through the sale of Collector Edition Jigsaw Puzzles. Organized by PUZZLES WITH PURPOSE, the effort launches with exclusive limited edition puzzles created in close collaboration with over 80 contemporary artists from across the globe to support artist studios, existing wider artist relief efforts and causes of personal social and economic concern to participating artists. To that end, a percentage of all proceeds from sales will directly benefit the artists’ chosen charities.

Highlights of the many special editions available at launch include Louise Lawler’s 1000-piece “POLLYANNA ADJUSTED TO FIT, DISTORTED FOR THE TIMES” dedicated to gallerist Yvon Lambert; Idris Khan’s “The Old Tune”; Will Cotton’s “Cotton Candy Cowboy”; Naama Tsabar's riveting performance piece "Dismantled”; Spencer Tunick's "Big Color"; Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe’s campfire-scented Victorian cut wooden puzzle; Marc Dennis’ magnetic “America”; Kay Rosen’s traditional paper jigsaw “Big Talk”; and Jitish Kallat’s “Palindrome/Anagram” part of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art. Also included are actor/artist Billy Zane's first painting, “Telemundo”, created on set during the filming of Titanic; Andres Serrano’s “America Jewel-Joy Stevens”; Brandon Lipchik’s generative wooden puzzle using AI advanced technology; and Christopher Makos’ tribute to Andy Warhol, “Andy in Clown Nose”, a giant 2000-piece traditional paper puzzle.

Available in Collector Editions of 20 and 2 APs unless otherwise indicated and presented in custom-engraved presentation boxes, the investment-worthy jigsaw puzzles make edition collecting a fresh experience at accessible prices for coveted artists. All are produced with cutting edge technology, high quality materials and the latest innovation in unique jigsaw puzzle design.

The sale will be live to collectors, contemporary art lovers and puzzle enthusiasts starting on September 14th and will be ongoing with additional artists and Limited Edition Collector puzzles added on a rolling basis.

ART x PUZZLES is grateful to the contemporary art leaders, curators, galleries, museums and private collections who have supported the project to bring signature artworks to life in new one-of-a-kind jigsaw puzzles. 

 

ARTISTS AT LAUNCH INCLUDE: 

Martin Ålund

Kiley Ames 

Carlos Amorales

Grimanesa Amorós

Tauba Auerbach

Charlie Barton 

Alessandro Belgiojoso

Amoako Boafo

Kathe Burkhart

Mircea Cantor

Yasmine Chatila 

Winston Chmileinksi

Gerald Chukwuma

Phillip Colbert

Will Cotton 

Marc Dennis 

Robert Farber 

Joe Fig

Justin Lowe & Jonah Freeman 

Asha Fuller 

Juan Garaizabal

Alternonce Gumby

Matthew Day Jackson

Kharis Kennedy

Enrique Garcia Lozano

Veronika Georgieva

Loris Gréaud 

Mahmoud Hamadani

Nir Hod

Richard Jackson

Jitish Kallat

Idris Khan

Shin II Kim

Sally Kindberg

Krystofer Kimmel

Yashua Klos

Adam Kluger

Esmeralda Kosmatopoulos

Hans Kotter

Maria Kozak

Louise Lawler

Robert Lazzarini

Brandon Lipchik

Christopher Makos

Miltos Manetas

Fabian Maraccio

Melvin Martinez

Helina Metaferia

Marilyn Minter

Seren Morey

Carrie Moyer

Tatyana Murray

Zahra Nazari

Ludovic Nkoth

Eric Payson

Stephen Posen

Nicole Rafiki

Pedro Reyes

Kay Rosen

Kenny Scharf

Mark Seidenfeld

Andres Serrano

Stephen Shanabrook

Shura Skaya

Veronica Smirnoff

Paul Solberg

Naama Tsabar

Spencer Tunick

Rafael Vargas-Suarez

Brad Walsh

Chuck Webster

Gal Weinstein

Peter Wise

Agustina Woodgate

Sislej Xhafa

Ekrem Yalcindag

Billy Zane

Zevs

 

Each Limited Collector Edition is accompanied by an engraved USB drive holding a certificate of authentication, jigsaw image and further background on the artist. 

ABOUT PUZZLES WITH PURPOSE 

Puzzles with Purpose was conceived by independent curator, arts writer and creative entrepreneur Rachel Vancelette in May 2020 as a multifaceted sales initiative to support a range of contemporary artists as they faced the economic fallout from the world’s ongoing battle against COVID-19. Expanding horizons, Puzzles with Purpose sought artists from across the globe to shine a light on their studio practice and to create a unique Collector Edition Jigsaw Puzzle. A percentage of all net-proceeds from each puzzle will be allocated to participating artists for their studio practice and creative endeavors while a percentage of proceeds from each sale will also benefit their respective cause of choice with a few artists donating their complete profits to COVID19 relief efforts.

Puzzles with Purpose recognizes the essential role of creatives to our world and that artists in particular will require endorsement and sustained support to continue their pursuits during the current crisis. Puzzles with Purpose works together with artists to create unique jigsaw puzzles in materials including wood, gently magnetically backed puzzles as well as traditional premium paper using available technologies and top die-cutting capabilities which will help support craft makers and other small businesses. The use of exclusive AI technology has produced one-of-a-kind jigsaw puzzle shapes with laser cut images for unique puzzles, all with brilliant reproductions of color.

artxpuzzles.com  @artxpuzzles      #artxpuzzles       #puzzleswithpurpose

ABOUT ARTIST RELIEF

Artist Relief is an initiative organized by the Academy of American Poets, Artadia, Creative Capital, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Fund,National Young Arts Foundation, and United States Artists—all small to mid-sized national arts grantmakers—that have come together in this unprecedented moment guided by the understanding that the wellbeing of artists has financial, professional, social, and mental dimensions, and should be fostered with a holistic framework of support. As such, Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists moving forward.

@artistrelief

ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER

The official BlackLivesMatter Global Network builds power to bring justice, healing, and freedom to Black people across the globe. Black Lives Matter began as a call to action in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. Our intention from the very beginning was to connect Black people from all over the world who have a shared desire for justice to act together in their communities.

@blacklivesmatter  #blacklivesmatter

ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION

First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardships due to tragic circumstances. First Responders Children’s Foundation also supports, promotes, and facilitates educational activities and programs created and operated by law enforcement and firefighting organizations whose purpose is to benefit children or the community at large.

@1strcf  #FirstRespondersStrong

 

PUZZLE WITH PURPOSE MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Bradbury Albert bradbury@artxpuzzle.com