Leading contemporary artists brighten tables for good

Some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists have come together to donate their best artwork for auction to raise funds for Table, a Kings Cross-based not-for-profit that aims to raised much-needed funds for social outreach programs in NSW and Victoria.

Artists including Anthony Lister, Antonia Pesenti, Auguste Blackman, Craig and Karl, Craig Ruddy, Danie Mellor, Jim Tsinganos, Kim Leutwyler, Mika Utzon Popov, Nell, and Yosi Messiah have contributed original designs to create 14 bespoke linen tablecloths.

The series, curated by BVN is available for sale now via an online silent auction until 10pm on Thursday, 27 October at galabid.com/auction/tabletalk. In addition to funds raised, a tablecloth will be donated to a women’s shelter in need, for every one sold.

Table is a registered-not for-profit organisation that works closely with its social enterprise partner, Two Good Co to deliver a range of projects, including the Organic Soup Kitchen, Young Parent’s Cooking School, and GROW Horticultural Therapy Program.

Two Good Co and Table founder Rob Caslick said: “We’re excited to announce the tablecloth initiative and would like to thank BVN and the 11 amazing artists who have generously donated their time and work to help us support people in the community who need the most help.

“The humble dinner table brings us all together to share a meal and conversation, and learn more about each other, so we think the tablecloth series is a fitting way to bring people together to make a difference.”

All funds raised will support Table’s programs – feeding the homeless and marginalised, helping young parents learn how to feed their families, and reconnecting people with their community through working in the soil.

Sydney artist Craig Ruddy created an original artwork titled, Rivers of Conversation, which depicts drips that are symbolic of rivers and conversations. The work was inspired by a theory of American feminist and journalist, Gloria Steinem who said the greatest indicator of the world's stability, wealth, and safety is the status of women.

“I reflected on the experience of sharing food, and how these shared moments could contribute to inspire social change. These conversations can start around the dinner table and ultimately filter out into the community, nurturing and supporting a healthier society, just as rivers and estuaries filter through the landscape carrying vital water and nutrients to feed and nurture the land,” said Ruddy.

A second print of each bespoke table cloth will be delivered to shelters in NSW and VIC, including The Women and Girls Emergency Centre, Elsie’s Refuge for Women and Children, Kilara Women’s Refuge, Dolores Single Women’s Refuge, Detour House, B Miles, Twenty 10, St Canice’s Kitchen, The Wayside Chapel, The Safe Futures and St Mary’s House of Welcome.

The auction was designed to support the sold out inaugural not-for-profit dinner event, ‘Table Talk: Food is more than food’, which will bring food-lovers together to share great food and ideas for a good cause at Carriageworks on Thursday, 27 October.

To place a bid in the silent auction, please visit galabid.com/auction/tabletalk. For more information about Table, please visit wearetable.org.

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, please contact: Sarah Shields, Access PR | 02 9292 7007 | 0408 283 091 | sarah@accesspr.com.au Rachael Ryan, Access PR | 02 9292 7008 | 0406 484 929 | rachaelr@accesspr.com.au

About Table 

Table is a collection of social outreach projects focused on bringing good food and good people together. You’ll find us stirring, chopping and mixing at our organic soup kitchen, teaching young mum’s how to create delicious and nutritious meals at our cooking school, and digging down in the dirt as a part of our Grow horticultural therapy program. Table is a registered-not for-profit organisation that works closely with its social enterprise partner, Two Good Co. wearetable.org

About Two Good 

Inspired by what we’ve achieved at Table, Two Good is a small idea mixed with big potential. We want to share the nourishing power of quality, wholesome food with those who it need it most. Two Good Co is a one-for-one food company that has delivered more than 10,000 meals, designed by some of Australia’s greatest chefs, to drop in centres and soup kitchens around Sydney, and is now expanding into Melbourne. For every lunch purchased, we deliver one to someone in need. twogood.com.au