Nelson artists support ‘Tiny Art’ for tiny babies

12 November 2015

Nelson artists support ‘Tiny Art’ for tiny babies

Artists from across New Zealand are on board to support The Neonatal Trust’s inaugural ‘Tiny Art’ awareness and fundraising project.

Artworks are being auctioned on Trade Me, with all timed to finish in the evening of 17 November which is World Prematurity Day.

Among the artists donating artwork are Nelson artists Ruth O’Connell and Ola & Marie Hoglund.

Marie Simberg-Hoglund says "Our family is delighted to involved with the Tiny Art awareness and fundraising campaign. We are a neonatal family ourselves with our youngest son born 9 weeks premature. He is now a very healthy 32 year old but we know exactly how it feels to have a premature baby."

The Hoglund’s have donated the piece ‘Mother and Baby Bird’ which can be viewed at www.tinyart.co.nz/ola-and-marie-hoglund
This is a one of a kind pair, whose tiny size fits very well with the theme. Sculpted by hand, the coloured body is shaped carefully and then framed by sparkling crystal clear glass, making each one’s facial expression change.

This beautiful pair are being auctioned on Trade Me, closing on 17 November (World Prematurity Day). View the auction here: www.trademe.co.nz/art/drawings/auction-976878739.htm

Ola and Marie’s work is internationally renowned and sought after by both public and private collectors worldwide. They have exhibited in more than 40 international exhibitions in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Indonesia, Taipei and Japan.

Ruth O’Connell has donated the beautiful piece ‘Her Scallop womb’ which can be reviewed at www.tinyart.co.nz/ruth-oconnell

Ruth said that she had “held on to a stack of giant scallop shells for a long time, not having found the right purpose for them, until now. Cradled inside this little scallop womb lies the re-imagined ultrasound image of my 22 week old little girl. We’re now at 37 weeks and it’s easy to become complacent about being pregnant and forget we are an integral part of this natural wonder: the ultimate celebration of life, and just how blessed we are to have made it this far. With each stroke of the brush and kick of her boot I am reminded just how much we have grown already and will continue to grow together: her, myself and her dad.”

This beautiful piece is being auctioned on Trade Me, closing on 17 November (World Prematurity Day). View the auction here: www.trademe.co.nz/art/drawings/auction-976395143.htm

When asked on the motivations for being involved, Ruth O’Connell said “To have an instant response from The Neonatal Trust is a real gift. Although I haven’t personally required their services, my brother, sister-in-law and both of their sons have, and I do know how grateful they were to have received their support. Just knowing that the support of such an institution is available to families during such a suddenly difficult time is a great comfort.”

The Neonatal Trust provides support to the families of premature and sick full-term babies across New Zealand. Executive Director Neil O’Styke said: “We focus on supporting parents and babies during a usually very traumatic time in whichever way we can, whether it’s through emotional, practical or financial measures.”

The Tiny Art project is centered on the story of one such baby, named ‘Charlotte’. She was born at 24 weeks, weighing only 650 grams and spent 132 days in the Wellington Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Now, she is now a happy, healthy 10 year old. Artists will create pieces between 132 and 650 mm to go up for auction as a reference to Charlotte’s journey.

The Tiny Art proceeds will fund a range of enhanced services and support for The Neonatal Trust. This includes the purchase of ‘Kangaroo cuddle chairs’ and extending the Breast pump support services available at the units. In addition, ten percent of profits will go towards ‘Life Flight Trust’ which transports babies who need to be moved to other neonatal units around the country.

Over 150 babies pass through the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Nelson hospital. These babies are either born premature, or require additional care due to complications or illness.

A premature baby is born every 90 minutes on average in New Zealand. That’s more than 5,000 or 10 percent of all babies each year who have to go through a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). In addition to premature babies, sick full-term babies are cared for in neonatal units. The complications these babies face are often only apparent once the baby is born.

For more information and to review all pieces see www.tinyart.co.nz

ENDS

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