By Tristram Clayton
Sarah Lucas is one of Britain's leading contemporary artists, her works selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
She's in the country on an artist's residency and as part of the Auckland Arts Festival, and has found her way to contribute to Christchurch.
After spending her first month in the country drawing inspiration from the South Island, Lucas thinks it's only right Christchurch should benefit from her art.
"It was just an automatic response, really," she says. "Obviously they're going to need a lot of money. Obviously I'm here, and it's just something that I can do, to donate a sculpture."
Other artists involved in the Arts Festival are also taking part in a special fundraising concert for Christchurch.
The proceeds from the Friday March 4 Ihimaera concert, featuring a who's-who of New Zealand musicians and actors, will be donated to the NZ Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal.
The sculptures in her latest exhibition Nuds were created in New Zealand, many using local materials.
"The funny thing is that I'd chosen anyway to use these materials, these building blocks, these toilets, so that was already on the cards. I think you look at it quite differently just because of what actually occurred in Christchurch. I think it's sort of peculiarly apt."
Lucas belongs to the same elite group of artists as Damien Hirst. They're called the 'Young British Artists.' Their works are provocative, highly sought after and expensive.
Hers sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and she'll donate the proceeds of the first work she sells to Christchurch.
"I've made quite a few works here and those works I've made here will be the sort of forbearers of works I'll make when I get back, so I've got quite a lot out of it and I thought that just seemed the appropriate thing."
Nuds is on at Auckland's Two Rooms gallery till April 9 as part of the Auckland Arts Festival.
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