Joy of Living

Max Fraser invited over 150 established and emerging designers to create a one-off artwork that expresses the ‘joy of living’, using just three pieces of different coloured paper supplied from the Colorplan range by G.F Smith. The brief? From a selection of 12 colours, the designers were each provided with three randomly-selected A4 coloured sheets and asked to manipulate the paper in any manner they desired, and to supply a short text on the inspiration for their piece. The work was signed (on the back), and was displayed anonymously; the name of the creator not revealed until the piece has been purchased. The intention was to encourage an emotional response for each piece and for buyers to fall in love with the art itself, not the name behind it. Each piece is signed, but on the back to preserve anonymity (until after the purchase). Featured on a website, open for public bidding and displayed at One Poultry building in the City of London. The project aimed to raise more than £80,000 for Maggie’s, a charity that helps people to build a life beyond cancer, manage the impact of a diagnosis of cancer and to live with hope and determination.