PRESS RELEASE
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