The Emerald Rose Whipple | EXHALE Print is an initiative in conjunction with the Orange Babies Foundation - a charity tackling the HIV/Aids epidemic in African nations through a holistic approach that provides mothers, children and orphans affected by the disease access to much needed medication, nutritional food, education and psychological support. This EXHALE Print initiative arose in lieu of the EXHALE Project in Zambia which has been postponed due to the Covid19 pandemic.

Whipple will offer two stylistic representations pulled from a diptych entitled ‘Venus, Aether Sunset’ from the artists Phædo series. The original work is in a private collection, the use of the images are a courtesy of both the artist and the collector to support mothers and children who are at the most risk from the global Covid19 pandemic. The diptych will be separated into 2 prints ‘Venus’ and ‘Aether Sunset’ which will be listed at $250 unsigned and $500 signed with 100% of the revenue directed towards Orange Babies. The artist is offering 150 limited edition digital prints on mirror finish paper at 12 x 15 inches. With a purchase of the $250 unsigned print, this allows Orange Babies to provide 10 children with daily nutrition for one month. And with a purchase of one $500 signed print or two unsigned prints Orange Babies can provide a class of children with daily nutrition, education and the necessary Covid-19 protection like mouth masks and soap for two weeks. With the purchase of two signed prints at $1000 Orange Babies can provide 10 children with daily nutrition and the necessary Covid-19 protection like mouth masks and soap for 4 months.

For all an international purchase, please visit http://publicaties.orangebabies.nl/emerald-rose-whipple/prints/

ABOUT ORANGE BABIES

Orange Babies is committed to an HIV and AIDS free world. Orange Babies initiates and supports projects in Namibia, Zambia and South Africa for pregnant women, children and those (in)directly affected by the HIV epidemic. They aim to do this by preventing pregnant HIV positive women from passing on the virus to her baby, and empowering the next generation in southern Africa to prevent further infections.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19, Orange Babies is now battling two epidemics instead of one. Those who are infected with HIV struggle to get access to their medication as a result of the crisis. In time, this will lead to more deaths and new HIV infections. Furthermore most people have lost their income seeing they all have piece jobs. They can no longer buy food making hunger the biggest struggle right now. Due to increasing Covid infections, most of the schools are closed, except for the exam classes. This not only affects the education of the children, but also the daily nutrition these children received in school.

Our biggest priority right now? Feeding the children in need. Orange Babies is so grateful for this wonderful collaboration, seeing the sales will help us make big difference:

• With 250$ we can provide 200 children with a healthy meal;

• With 500$ we can provide all 350 children at the Pakachele School in Zambia with a nutritious meal and Covid-19 protection such as masks and soap;

• With 1000$ a vulnerable or orphaned child who has nowhere safe to go can stay at an Orange Babies home for a year.

THE EXHALE PROJECT

The EXHALE Project was an initiative devoted to support, celebrate and raise awareness of Orange Babies through sport.  The project was to be unveiled in summer 2020, but has been postponed due to restrictions from the Covid19 pandemic. EXHALE will establish a multi-functional soccer field, a five-team strong co-ed youth soccer league and a training program for coaches and mentors in Zambia in an important step towards unification in the fight against HIV and Aids. The Exhale print arose as a way to provide necessary support to Orange Babies during this time. 

THE ARTWORK MEANING

Whipple’s oil on canvas painting entitled ‘Venus, Aether Sunset’ which depicts a golden sunset and light reflecting on the ocean is from artists Phædo series. Phædo, also known to readers as On the Soul, is a dialogue by Plato that discusses the immortality of the soul, set in the last hours before the death of Socrates. Phædo for the artist reveals a search for meaning that transcends the individual mortal life amid the broader travels of the soul. Whipple’s landscapes and settings are inspired by sacred spaces of devotional experience in awe-inspiring locations both internal and external. For the artist, the natural landscape acts as a bridge between the material realm and divinity, depicting the interconnected nature of all life. The ocean is a symbol of Venus, she is known as the goddess of love and beauty, daughter of heaven and sea. Venus also rules our values and sense of appreciation, reminding us to live with gratitude for the gift of life. The Sunset represents the Aethers, the material that fills the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere. In Greek mythology it was thought to be the pure air or essence that the gods breathed, filling the space where they lived, analogues to the air we breathe. The work is about pure communion with the divine immortal soul through nature. The soul’s search for meaning in life and death are one of the more profound themes in Whipple's larger body of work and a concept oft confronted historically.