MAJOR CELEBRITIES JOIN ‘LARGER THAN LIFE’ TO AID TRINITY HOSPICE
Stars of stage, comedy and sport such as Kevin Spacey, Jeff Goldblum, Ricky Gervais, Jack Dee, Barry Humphries, Martin Johnson CBE, and Willie John McBride are participating in Larger Than Life, an outstanding exhibition of unusual photographic images designed to raise funds for SW London’s Trinity Hospice.
The project is due to run for two years and more stars are joining all the time; Russell Brand, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop have already signed up to take part and discussions are currently taking place with world famous musicians.
Taking ‘life and laughter’ as his theme, renowned portrait photographer Rich Hardcastle is creating a series of remarkable black and white photographs that capture, slightly off guard, the personality and mood of the sitter during a reflective moment. The celebrity then adds his or her personal message – a quote, a witty remark, or philosophical comment – to the original photograph and hand signs each of the 50 large (32 x 32 inches) limited edition prints that are subsequently produced.
Kevin Spacey’s quote reads: ‘Sometimes the person who is the most logical is the person whom we call insane’, whilst Barry Humphries says simply: ‘Always watch your back’.
The limited edition prints, ranging in price from £400 to £500, are hand-signed and come mounted, ready for framing, and with a certificate of authenticity. These collectors’ items can be viewed and purchased online at Trinity Hospice’s website at: www.trinityhospice.org.uk/largerthanlife.
In addition, one special canvas edition of each print – signed and embellished by the celebrity subject – will be auctioned off when the Larger Than Life project comes to a close.
The photographs will be on public exhibition, and available for purchase, across London for the remainder of 2008 and during 2009. The first display takes place from September 12 to 20 at 39 Earlham Street in Seven Dials, London WC2. The exhibition then moves on, in turn, to Canary Wharf, Victoria and Southwark with further venues to be announced.
Rich Hardcastle commented: ‘I’m really pleased to be able to contribute towards such a worthwhile cause. Having visited Trinity Hospice I was struck by what a beautiful, positive environment exists there. This is something truly deserving of support.’
‘We feel that these photographs will enable the Hospice to discuss the serious issues of the end of life care and bereavement in an interesting and simple way’, added Alba Lewis, Director of Fundraising at Trinity. ‘In effect, life and laughter is being used to fund a better way of dying. We hope to create a heightened awareness of the specialist palliative care that is available to terminally ill people, and their loved ones, as well as raise the funds to provide these services. It is fantastic that so many famous people are supporting Trinity and helping us to raise money in this unique way.’
Following the launch at Seven Dials, the Larger Than Life exhibition will be on public display at:
September 22-26: Monday – Friday (9am-5pm)
Exchange Tower
Harbour Exchange
London E14
September 29 to October 10: Monday – Friday (9am-5pm)
Bircham Dyson Bell
50 Broadway
London SW1
October 6-12: Monday – Friday (8am-11pm)
MoreChampagne
5a More Place
London SE1
Trinity Hospice, a charity based on Clapham Common North Side, was established in 1891 and is the oldest organisation of its kind in the UK.
It costs £8 million annually to provide, free of charge, over 2,000 terminally ill people and their loved ones support and care, within their own homes or at the Hospice.
Around 39% of the funding comes from the NHS which means that Trinity Hospice is dependent on voluntary contributions and fundraising for the remainder and could not function without the help received from friends in the community and in business.