The heritage-listed Paramount building in Surry Hills recently played host to the launch one of the most unusual collections ever shown in Sydney, Embers of Empathy.
Using charcoal from the recent fires in the Blue Mountains, 12 of the state’s leading artists created a stunning collection of works that were sold in an online auction to aid Red Cross relief and recovery work.
Embers of Empathy artists include Nicholas Harding, Paul Ryan, Suzanne Archer, Ron McBurnie, Anne Judell, Eloise Cato, James Blackwell, Sam Holt, Saif Almurayati, Jody Graham, Dean Mortensen and Sophie Cape.
One of the most prominent artists was Archibald Prize award-winner Paul Ryan who created a stunning charcoal portrait of Blue Mountains resident Jocelyn Seaman who lost her home in the fires.
“My immediate thought was to work with someone directly affected by the bushfires to create a portrait of them, standing in the very place where they lost their home,” says Paul.
