Philanthro Art Show Benefiting Lifelong AIDS Alliance

Thanks to those who came to support the art auction premiere at the Vermillion Gallery in Seattle yesterday. The event was a charitable effort arranged by Philanthro Seattle to raise awareness and funding/proceeds for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance. I'm happy to say that it was a huge success and we were able to raise $1039.53! Philanthro is a 100% volunteer-based national non-profit organization whose mission is to engage young professionals with charitable causes. 

If you're interested in their work, please check out the following websites :  

Philanthro: http://www.philanthroproductions.org/

Lifelong AIDS Alliance:  http://www.llaa.org/

Philanthro & Lifelong AIDS Alliance Art Show: http://psllaa.tumblr.com/

My utmost gratitude, appreciation and gesture of thanks goes to Jessica Wei, Mary Wu, and all of the wonderful folks at Philanthro Seattle who arranged this incredibly good cause.  Had it not been for their invitation to create and donate artwork, I never would've known about the Lifelong AIDS Alliance. The whole art show is based on the following theme, where the artist had the liberty to decide on a word to fill in the blank.

Conquering the Past; Embracing the Present; ___________ the Future.

For my piece, I chose the word, "Improving" to complete the theme.

 GROWTH IN SPIRIT

Oil paint on birch wooden panels - 9" x 9", 9" x 10", and 9" x 12" (2011)

Inspiration Behind the Art Work: The human spirit. I have always been a strong believer that the growth of a person is not measured by conventional, societal standards of success, physicality or reputation...but through the individual's sense of compassion, mindfulness and strong will.  I hope to embody this message in a series of wooden panels that display the potential of an individual's strength. The first panel depicts the individual struggling to climb a partially decaying tree, symbolizing his determination to overcome personal obstacles . To reflect that imperfections should not be viewed as a debilitating component that prevents us from rising, this particular individual has one peg leg.  Despite this complication, the individual is still able to find a way to his destination in life through sheer determination, endurance and strong will. Once the individual is able to conquer his past, he establishes a home on top of the tree as a symbol of acceptance.  His comfort and residency there reflects his desire to embrace the present. In turn, his compassion and understanding of life propels him to nurture the tree to full health for future generations. The growth and vitality of the three is representative of the impact a human being can have on this world in terms of improving the future. 

The Philanthro folks hard at work, preparing for the grand opening of the art auction.

Sponsors and Viewers take a gander at bidding for each donated piece of artwork.

There were several inspirational speakers, musicians and poets that performed throughout the night, bringing more awareness towards AIDS and the celebration of life, in general. Pictured above from left to right is Prince Stephens and Sean Michael.