Let the Bidding Begin! Doctors Without Borders Mosaic Auction Opens Today

Le Rouge et le Noir  Francoise Moulet  (France)

8 x 8 inches  Mexican, Venetian and French Albertini smalti

Starting today, you can bid on the gorgeous mosaic above at www.biddingforgood.com and – should you be the lucky high bidder – you will be supporting the important, humanitarian work of Doctors Without Borders–Medecins Sans Frontieres.

In fact, there are over 125 mosaics for you to choose from in the DWB-MSF Auction, each an original work designed and donated by a mosaic artist and curated by the seemingly indefatigable, Lin Schorr of Lin Schorr Mixed Mosaics.

Bronwyn  Lin Schorr (USA)

10 x 10 inches Stained glass, glass beads, orange jade beads, metal ballchain, metal beads, metal pendants.

If we were ever in need of an Iron Fist In A Velvet Glove to get something huge done, we would speed dial Schorr.  The DWB–MSF project is just the latest in her personal history of coordinating large, complex projects that harness the energy, artistry and heart of the international mosaic community to the benefit of others.  Because of Schorr's rigorous planning and artistic vision, the results are always beautiful.   Be sure to look at Schorr's previous projects here.

Tear ~ Larme  Isabelle de Sa Moreira (France)
20 x 20 cm  Gold, goldstone, grès cérame

DWB–MSF is a Nobel prize winning international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.  Wherever in the world things are at their worst, you will find the volunteer doctors and nurses of DWF-MSF working without judgment or politics.  They do the work of the angels.

Under the Same Moon  Kelly Knickerbocker (USA)

10.25 x 10.25 inches  Stained glass, copper smalti, gold smalti, unglazed porcelain, Swarovsky crystals

All of the artists have submitted statements to accompany their works.  Here is what Knickerbocker wrote about Under the Same Moon.

For each of us there is a place where we have been, where we are at the present, or that we are looking for that is where we feel most relaxed, safe, and free. Whether that place is an empty beach, a dusky hillside, a seat beside the fire, or the still point within, we all look for it - and we will all find it - under the same moon.

Ripple Effect  Helen Nock (UK)

6 x 8.5 inches Transparent Smalti glass, stained and mirror glass on heat formed perspex substrate: will also stand freely on either long edge.

As you can see from the examples here, the mosaics offered run the gamut from representational to abstract, from 2-D to sculptural.   All manner of materials are used from the traditional to the unexpected.

Connections  Ayka Bumin (Turkey)

15 x 20 x 3 cm   Marble, silver, glass canes, and sand beads on canvas.

This mosaic especially made for the Doctors Without Borders Exhibition stylizes the organization's helpful connections around the world and uses designs and materials from nature.

The artists have set values of $60 $2,000 for their works and each mosaic has an opening bid price of $50.  Given the quality of the mosaics, this is a fabulous opportunity to add to or begin a mosaic collection.

 Bloom Carol Shelkin  (USA)

 15.5 x 15.5 inches framed.  Stained glass.

We are especially taken with Bloom by award-winning artist Carol Shelkin.

 Bailando en cobre  Luz Mack-Durini  (USA)

9 x 9 inches framed.  Silver-gilded stained glass, dichroic glass spirals

Then again, we're enchanted with Luz Mack-Durini's use of silver-backed stained glass with dichroic glass.  We expect that there is lots of energy and depth, here.  It looks like it just might vibrate off the wall.

Atomic Wheel  Flair Robinson (USA)

9.75 x 10 inches.  Royal Mosa ceramic tile, glass, vintage letter, glass cabochon (c. 1895), vintage Bakelite cabochons, vintage domino, Bakelite dice, vintage bottle cap, self-designed and heat-pressed ceramic tile.

Atomic Wheel gets our prize for "Sheer Fun With a Timely Edge."  Robinson's use of game pieces with the graphic structure of atoms has a distinct relevance given recent events in Japan.

The On-Line Auction Facts:

Auction opens at BiddingForGood.com:  April 1, 2011, 9am EDT
Auction closes at April 27, 2011, 5pm EDT

You will need to register with the site before you can see the mosaics which will be listed as DWB-MSF.

See The Mosaics Live in Northville, MI  

All of the auction mosaics will be shown at Northville Art House, Northville, MI  in conjunction with an exhibition of Michigan mosaic artists.  Schorr selected 21 works representing 14 artists for the Michigan-centric show which is small but impressive.  (Didn't we say indefatigable?)  The double-exhibit runs April 1 through April 27.

Now, go and bid on something!

Enjoy – Nancie