Winter Fundraising Exhibition

 Art City Works are delighted to present, 'Saturnalia', a winter fundraising exhibition in collaboration with Purslane. 

 20% of sales will be donated to the charity Shelter who fight for all those whose lives are blighted by the loss of their home. For more information on Shelter charity, please click here.

Purslane was founded in 2020 to shake up the status quo of the art market and promote a more socially conscious way of investing in art while supporting emerging artistic talent and raising awareness around philanthropic causes. 

The title of the online exhibition, ‘Saturnalia’ is based on the ancient Roman festival and holiday celebrated mid-December in honour of the god Saturn. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike.

The Neoplatonist philosopher Porphyry interpreted the freedom associated with Saturnalia as symbolizing the "freeing of souls into immortality". This notion resonates with our belief that creativity and engaging with the arts as an expansive and meaningful pastime.

Many of the rites and traditions associated with Saturnalia have influenced the contemporary European rituals for celebrating Christmas. We felt this to be a fitting theme for our December fundraiser which comprises of a diverse roster of artists, working across a variety of mediums.