Ikea Klippan Sofa

CATHERINE MARTIN, DEL KATHRYN BARTON AND AKIRA ISOGAWA JOIN FORCES FOR UNIQUE ART INITIATIVE

IKEA celebrates 30 years of the KLIPPAN sofa with artist collaboration - The IKEA Home Project

To mark the 30th birthday of the iconic KLIPPAN sofa, one of IKEA's most recognisable and affordable items, a selection of acclaimed Australian artists are creating unique works which the public can buy. Two time Academy Award winner Catherine Martin, Australian fashion icon Akira Isogawa, and Archibald Prize winner Del Kathryn Barton in collaboration with fashion label Romance Was Born are contributing to an exciting initiative - The IKEA Home Project - which will see artists create a one-off KLIPPAN cover in their own style, focusing on the theme of 'home'. The resulting masterpieces will be sold via an online auction event on Grays Online from 29th July - 4th August. Proceeds of the auction will be given as a cash donation to the Victorian Bushfire Relief effort.

Additional artists on board include: Guerrilla Gardener and street artist Mickie Quick; creative collective The Glue Society; art and technology fusionists Lindy Lee and Robert Scott-Mitchell; sculptor and installation artist Kate Rohde; political artist Deborah Kelly; performance artist Gosia Wlodarczak; ABN-Amro Prize finalist Jasper Knight; Indigenous artist Reko Rennie; multi-disciplinary artist Pete Volich; members of MAY's Lane Street Art Project Mini Graff, Phibs and Deb; cross-disciplinary artist Agatha Gothe-Snape; new media and installation artist Will French; multi-disciplinary artist Michelle Hanlin; painter Sarah Contos; Spacecraft visionary Stewart Russel; sculptor Louisa Dawson; impasto painting creator Jessica Geron; Tomato group member Naomi Torsky; multi-disciplinary artist Rachel Scott; conceptual artist Tom Polo; painter Ron Adams; multi-disciplinary artist Elvis Richardson; painter Nana Ohneforge; painter and enfant terrible of the Australian art world Adam Cullen and performance and video artist Daniel Mudie Cunningham.

The IKEA Home Project is a unique enterprise that builds on IKEA's pledge to support communities affected by the Victorian bushfires. In February 2009, IKEA donated $1m of product to aid the recovery process. Whilst this contribution helps rebuild houses, the task of restoring a house into a home is equally challenging work. The artists have therefore been asked to donate their time, skill and imagination and consider what 'home' means to them in order to create their one-off KLIPPAN covers.

Jude Leon, Public Relations Manager, IKEA, said: "The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for people through providing well designed, functional home furnishings at low prices. The KLIPPAN sofa is a favourite of IKEA customers the world over due to a durable frame, removable covers and great price, features which haven't changed in 30 years. By asking a diverse range of artists to consider what 'home' means to them, The IKEA Home Project creations will ensure KLIPPAN remains not just a design classic but also becomes a collectors item for future generations of culture vultures. With all money raised from the auction of the exclusive artist designed covers going to people affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires, there's no better reason to get bidding for an item that is both functional and beautiful".

KLIPPAN two-seater price: $229. A variety of covers are also available to purchase

For more information on IKEA go to: www.ikea.com.au