1000 Drawings
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“1000 Drawings” is a not-for-profit organization that is run very closely to a creative agency module, where upper management is broken down into a creative director and an operations director. “1000 Drawings” is a collective initiative of artists who, on a world wide scale create an avenue to “do good” with their own talents. Giving back or philanthropy is a deep ceded emotion and desire among most creative’s, or at least the one’s that I know personally.
The “1000 Drawings” initiative will gather artists at a particular place and time to and as a collective creative movement, draw, design and auction off original pieces from those various artists in various styles to one another and attending public for charity. The “1000 Drawings” initiative is the sole drive to “do good” or be “good” as well as the promotion of “all things good”. They are obsessively committed and devoted to giving away every last cent or nickel to whatever charity has been organized to receive funds from the project drive at that time.
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This article will be written in conjunction with an interview conducted by myself, with the Creative Director for JHB of “1000 Drawings”, David Chong.
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I understand that the project is non-profit, what charities do the “1000 Drawings” projects raise funds for?
“Well, the main charity that have been onboard with us for the majority of the development of 1000 Drawings is the Paballo Ya Batho, a mission and charity shelter that provides care, food and shelter for the homeless and destitute in the inner City of Johannesburg. Our other charity who we’ve just taken on recently is the Princess Alice Adoption Home, who mostly care for adoptable infants.”
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Paballo Ya Batho and Princess Alice Adoption Home
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Who is the “1000 Drawings” initiative comprised of? (In terms of artists)
Variety of talent...
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“Anyone really…we are non- discriminatory and really accept anyone who wants to come along and join the cause for good.” One of the…'mantras' divulged to me by David was, “draw anything, on anything, with anything”…I think that that is pretty self-explanatory. The overall feeling I got from speaking to David Chong was that the “1000 Drawings” project was one that people from all ages, cultures and demographics could take part in and enjoy.
It's not reserved for the elite, even though some of the best illustrators in that country will take part in the event. David explained to me that at the exhibition itself (where the drawings are displayed for auction and purchase), a drawing from a 5 year old girl could be placed next to a prolific illustrator in the industry and the two drawings would be valued in the same way.
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Simple, Arbitrary Illustrations
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No discrimination.
No profit.
No professionals.
Just “Good”.
It’s a mantra that should be adopted more often these days. Most of us are looking for some kind of retribution for the effort we put into things we do, make and build…whereas the “1000 Drawings” Project simple works because they know and understand that their work and effort creates and builds “good”. That is all that they seem to be concerned with and by that, it is usually the simplest set of moral codes that are the most effective.
“The “1000 Drawings” project accepts most images including photography, as long as it is printed professionally”, says David Chong. He continues to say, “We don’t accept any photo manipulations because we promote the process of drawing and taking a specific effort placed in each piece.”
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What developments are happening with regards to “1000 Drawings” and what does the future hold?
Emo elephant.
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“Our main focus is to obviously expand the “1000 Drawings” concept into other countries and have them run with the same organizational skills that the South African department is run”, explains David. “Even though this is our goal, we are very cautious and strategic about whom we become affiliated with in other countries. For example, what we have done is draft and legalize International Documents which protect the brand of “1000 Drawings” and the overall ethos of the project. Once these documents have been agreed to by both parties, then the “1000 Drawings Manual” will be handed over.”
From my understanding, the “1000 Drawings Manual” seems to be the guidelines for running the project on an international standard, from financials to creative direction…I understand the need for uniformity with this kind of a project. An initiative such as this needs to be developed and run in the exact same way everywhere in the world. That uniformity creates a sense of family among the organizers of the projects and inevitably is much easier to liaise with their international counter-parts on certain issues. The 'Manual' also allows for an enormous amount of creative freedom with regards to each international '1000 Drawings' setup to allow for each one to add their own localized style and 'flavour', so-to-speak.
David has also hinted that another one of their main goals to achieve would be to be “completely self-sufficient, for non-profit of course, but self-sustaining nevertheless.”
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How do the events rotate throughout the “1000 Drawings Family”? (Internationally as well as locally)
Angry Robot.
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David explained that, “each country that is affiliated with the “1000 Drawings” project is highlighted every two years. This gives everyone and all parties involved, especially those involved in the international proceedings a chance to focus on other countries apart from their own.”
David has divulged that the next city that is seemingly 90% “there” (on board with “1000 Drawings”) is Amsterdam. One of the most culturally rich and creative cultures in the world, they would be the ideal candidates to host the initiative.
There is talk of Australia joining the “1000 Drawings Family” and possibly Berlin in the future. Unfortunately this spells a long awaited lull for the South African fans of “1000 Drawings” unless an independent exhibition or “doodle” (an independent get together for artists wanting to contribute to the initiative) was organized before the international spotlight came back around.
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Who are the Affiliates of “1000 Drawings” and what are their roles?
"1000 Drawings - Cape Town"
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“The “1000 Drawings” is a highly independent entity”, David explains. “We have worked, unaffiliated, but worked with creative agencies throughout South Africa including Word of Art.” Another independent set of creative’s striving to make a difference in the South African artistic space and community.
David goes on to say, “1000 Drawings allowed Word of Art, based in Cape Town to run their recent 2009 “1000 Drawings” campaign, which was highly successful due to the fine effort from Misha Teasdale who really was the driving force behind the success of the Cape Town campaign.” Unfortunately I was informed that the Word of Art team in Cape Town has recently split up due to other business ventures but will still contribute whenever and wherever they can to the “1000 Drawings” initiative. All credit is due to the 'Word of Art' Team at the time of the Cape Town '1000 Drawings' event, Ricky Gordon and Shani Judes.
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I asked David Chong about his views on the recent up-roar about Bongi Bengu’s “Innovative Women” exhibition and the debate that this kind of an issue could evoke among the art community? Would “1000 Drawings” be open to being involved in this kind of debate?
Incredible intricacy...
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Although he had not seen any pieces from the exhibition, he was aware of the attention and story behind the social cadenza among the art community.
He went on to say and relate the up-roar back to the core ethos of “1000 Drawings” and that “1000 Drawings is non discriminatory and to my knowledge, the issue in question seemed to be politically driven and that’s not what 1000 Drawings is about.” To divulge further, he went on to say that, “this debate seems to be one of political stand point, 1000 Drawings intention is to do good. There is more passion and intention about the overall good whereas a debate such as this would be more about art. 1000 Drawings core ethos is to promote good, art is a by-product.”
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The 101.
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As David spoke more about “1000 Drawings”, he explained that no one in the project work for the initiative on a full time basis. The organization is comprised of volunteers, people in the creative industry with an enormous drive and passion to “do good”. This is the sole reason why they as an organization are so selective about who they affiliate themselves with.
David eloquently elaborated on his involvement in the project and can be summed up by a single statement of his, “I love what I do, as a designer, but 1000 Drawings and the ‘do good’ it promotes is my passion”.
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David Chong’s first love is branding, design and corporate identity. As a graphic designer, he knows what is expected of the type of work “1000 Drawings” evokes, especially among some of the better illustrators this country has. A religious and passionate South African, he seems wise beyond his years and carries himself with a tremendous amount of humility and professionalism. It is no surprise David is one of the most involved participants in the “1000 Drawings” project. One would only need 5 minutes with him to find out why he is so passionate about the campaign.
Influenced by the incredible graphic artists and creative’s such as Fabien Baron and Tyler Brûlé…his passion for all things design orientated and “good” will hold much success for this bright man.
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One of the more popular poster pieces for "1000 Drawings"
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His humility extends even further as he asked me to specifically mention two people who have been corner-stones in the development and success of the “1000 Drawings” project, on a worldwide scale, one being Felix Frankenberg who I was in touch with initially before meeting David.
Felix has been spearheading the financial side of the operation. David appropriately describes Felix as “precision, the man is so precise in everything he does, which is important when charitable organizations are involved.” Another he asked me to mention was, Renata Giovanni, who even though he did not divulge too much into seems to be the key creative for the “1000 Drawings” project in Dubai.
Additional praise must also be made to the Legion Collective Team comprised of Jono Garret, Dustin Slabber and Shaun Botes who make up the key creative team for '1000 Drawings' Johannesburg as well as the team that will be supporting the other cities internationally.
The simple ethos of "doing good" is one that we can all learn from. Why is it that in today's day and age, does everyone seem to want retribution for the deeds and effort they put into life? Possibly, if one never intended on getting anything back in the first place...with your intentions being truthful, honest and "good" you wouldn't need any retribution...
Seems easy enough to me...
"Do good" because it feels "good"...!
Good Dave
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