“Rise together, Through these clouds, As on wings”
This story started with David Bowie twenty years ago and has gone full circle in that time to reach its conclusion tonight.
Doves for Peace was established in 1999 by Dorothy Claxton in response to the plight of innocent children caught up in violent conflicts and fleeing from war torn countries around the world. High profile personalities were invited to make a spontaneous drawing of a dove.
On Thursday 17th October, 2019, from 7:00pm BST, 107 drawings donated to Doves For Peace over the past twenty years will go under the hammer in aid of UNICEF.
The first of those pieces was created by David Bowie (Lot 75) on the 25th October, 1999, and the last was donated just a few days ago by Duncan Jones (Lot 107).
View both lots here.
Register to auction and see the full catalogue of all 107 doves here.
While you're waiting for the auction to start, read the full history of how David Bowie kick-started Doves For Peace below.
#DavidAndDuncan #DovesForPeace #Unicef
How Dorothy Claxton created Doves For Peace by David Launchbury
As a huge David Bowie fan I was lucky enough to be a winner on a competition Mark & Lard ran on their Radio One afternoon show back in October 1999. The prize was to visit the Maida Vale studios on the 25th October as part of a select audience to see David’s session throughout the show. My very talented artist and now retired art teacher neighbour (Dorothy Claxton) so kindly painted a beautiful portrait of David (see montage) for me to hopefully get signed.
She also had a wonderful idea to try and raise awareness for children whose lives have been devastated by war and wanted to do something to help, she thought that by asking famous people to draw a picture of a dove that maybe someday when she had enough she could raise some money for UNICEF.
I was incredibly lucky to meet David and not only did he sign her artwork he also drew a picture of a dove...see montage.
When I got back home I couldn't wait to show Dot the signed artwork and also gave her the dove picture David had drawn. She was so excited, and said that it was the first picture she had received. Fast forward twenty years and Dot feels she now has enough pieces of art from famous people to be able to auction them off in the hope of raising a substantial amount for UNICEF. The auction takes place on the 17th October.
I think it’s an incredible achievement that Dot has accomplished and the link between the first and last dove sketch is remarkable.