Jesper shows PostArts to Mama Obama                                                Impressions from PostArts working days in Kenya

Here we are

Art and culture are important elements in the development of a country. We know, because both of us has many years of experience in development work.

We met each other three years ago in Sanaa the capital of Yemen. Jesper was working as a Red Cross delegate and Torben was working on a video project for the Danish cultural festival “Images of the Middle East”. We soon found out that the two of us was a very good mach. Globetrotters, cranks and very fond of art. Together we created the idea of PostArt – a project designed to support artists in development countries in their struggle to scratch a living.

About the PostArt Idea

PostArt is selling original oil or acrylic paintings in a fixed format A5, at a fixed price 500 Danish crowns  (equals appr. 100 US$) After paying tax and expenses we share equally with the artist. This is our own totally transparent way of dealing fair-trade with the art business and we believe that the combination of buying a beautiful, unique piece of art and at the same time supporting the cultural development of a country will appeal to a lot of people.

The artists says:

I like PostArt because it is honest and transparent! (Michael Magambo)

It is hard to find support as an artist in Kenya. That is why PostArt is so important. (Peter Okoyo)

Because of PostArt I will be able to express myself in a way I really want. (Edward  Orato)

Kenya

In August/September this year we travelled around Kenya and visited a lot of artists. Mostly in the poorest slum-areas in the outskirts of the cities, because this is where most of them live. The selection process is simple. We had one contact to lead us to the next. If we liked the work of the artist and if they would like to join us, we set up a test for them. We gave them materials and challenged them to make samples of PostArts for us in a couple of days.  And if this turned out well we signed a contract with them about delivering PostArts for our webshop.

Everyone met us with open arms – our transparency about the process and especially about the economy is appreciated and also the artists sees this as an opportunity to reach a different and bigger market.

The future

We believe that PostArt can develop into something big. Right now we are working on a new string in the project Art on the Run focussing on artists living in refugee camps. See more on www.artontherun.dk. Soon you will see artists from Kakuma refugee camp in our gallery.