Award Winning Smeg Fridge Art to be auctioned for charity

Press Release
Tuesday February 17, 2015

Award Winning Smeg Fridge Art to be auctioned for Ronald McDonald House Charities

Matt Blackmore’s award-winning AROUND THE WORLD makeover of a Smeg FAB28 retro refrigerator is up for auction through Trade Me – raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand.

The 2014 Smeg Art Design Competition, established by Smeg New Zealand was judged by some of New Zealand’s most notable names in design including Mal Corby, Tim Webber, Dave Sotogi and Kiri Nathan.

Matt’s winning piece of contemporary design was inspired by a true Blackmore family treasure – a travel trunk belonging to his great-grandmother.

The work is one of four to be auctioned off to raise funds for the philanthropic arm of the McDonalds Corporation and began with Nikolai Sorenson’s fantastic ‘KNIT’ design resulting in $1,785 raised, followed by Julie Ashby’s ‘ELEGANZA’ which raised $1,680.

All four finalist works are currently on display at Kitchen Things Auckland store locations and are being individually auctioned off through Trade Me (www.trademe.co.nz) for an extended 14 day period, each in succession of each other.

Rachel Louie, Smeg New Zealand Distributor and Managing Director said the 2014 Smeg Art Design Competition resulted in some truly original design work.

“It was a fantastic competition that allowed us to highlight the creative minds and innovative design work that exists out there in the market,” she says. “Our four finalist’s works are stunning and unique one-off designs that remain functional and still utilise the best of Smeg technology.

“Our panel of judges was hard pressed to select the four finalists,” she said.

Wayne Howett of Ronald McDonald House Auckland is thrilled Smeg New Zealand would choose to donate all funds raised from the Trade Me auctions to the charity.

“Here at Ronald McDonald House we say that our kitchens form the heart of our homes; they provide the space where families come together for comfort and nourishment after a long day on the hospital ward,” says Howett.

“This novel fundraising initiative is the perfect way to mark the start of our partnership with Smeg. The funds raised will go directly to our ongoing operations – ensuring our kitchens remain clean and stocked with staples and all the equipment our families would find in their own kitchens at home,” he says.

For all auction details visit the Smeg Art website (www.smegart.co.nz) or search ‘Smeg Art’ on Trade Me.

The four FAB28 fridges can be viewed at the following Kitchen Things store locations:

Nikolai Sorensen: KNIT (SOLD $1,785)
Kitchen Things
Mt Eden (439 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland)
Online Auction: 20 Jan – 2 Feb

Julie Ashby: ELEGANZA (SOLD $1,680)
Kitchen Things
Constellation Drive (4/60 Constellation Drive, Rosedale, Auckland)
Online Auction: 3 Feb – 16 Feb

Matt Blackmore: AROUND THE WORLD
Kitchen Things
Mt Wellington (Apex Mega Centre, 383 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington, Auckland)
Online Auction: 17 Feb – 2 Mar

Aleisha Stanton: DIRECTION OF THE FUTURE
Kitchen Things
Newmarket (25 Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland)
Online Auction: 3 Mar – 16 Mar

For a detailed overview of the designer FAB28 fridges, the auction process, the competition and judges’ comments head to www.smegart.co.nz

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