UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Organisation, has facilitated a range of high-profile kids ‘takeovers’ across the globe in the lead up to World Children’s Day on Monday 20 November. The aim was to raise the profile and voices of children in places and spaces where they may not usually be seen or heard.
‘It’s an honour to be involved with UNICEF over these last 30 years. Nothing can be more important than peace, and the love and care of the world’s children,’ said Done.
Working hand in hand with Done, the children of Plunkett Street Public School created a collection of canvases 40 x 40cm, that were arranged together to create an impressive large-scale artwork. Each canvas was auctioned at a special UNICEF dinner held in Sydney on Monday 20 November. The money raised will help the world’s most vulnerable children.
‘Adults don’t really take kids seriously because they don’t know what kids are thinking. They don’t pay attention because they’re bigger then us, or they go on their phones,’ claim the youngsters.
UNICEF‘s World Children’s Day celebrates the anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. This year the focus is on Article 12 – Respect for the views of the child, which stipulates; When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account. The convention recognises that a child’s participation in decisions must be commensurate with their maturity.
‘We will always stand up for children and their rights, but this year we’re taking time to make sure we also bring those rights to life. So we’ve asked children to express themselves through creating art with Ken Done, who’s been a dedicated UNICEF Australia Ambassador for 30 years. The artworks that resulted are imaginative, bold and authentic,’ said Tony Stuart, Chief Executive Officer for UNICEF Australia.
The artwork created by Ken Done and the pentad will be exhibited in The Ken Done Gallery until 1 January 2018 with panels not sold at the dinner available to purchase.