Hasta La Ideas

Michael Craig-Martin’s Ox-tales box

To raise funds for Oxfam projects in Africa, 14 leading artists created boxes to house specially-commissioned books of short stories

We’re a little late on this project but it is so beautifully done and for such a good cause that we thought we would post about it anyway.

For its Ox-tales project, Oxfam asked 38 renowned authors to contribute short stories based on the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. These were
printed as paperbacks for sale in bookshops nationwide.

Joe Tilson’s box

As a way of raising further valuable funds for two Oxfam projects in Africa, a limited edition of 200 boxed sets were produced, each signed by all the writers (still available to buy here). An even more limited edition of 14 boxes with the same signed books was then commissioned, inviting 14 eminent artists including Antony Gormley, Michael Craig-Martin and Peter Blake, to create their own interpretation of the four elements on and in these boxes.

Peter Blake’s box

Keith Tyson’s box

Carter Wong designed a catalogue for the auction, each artist being given two spreads for their finished work, with detailed shots from all facets. The catalogue featured bespoke greyboard covers, blind blocked with a number 14 mark.

The auction, which was on 16 March, raised £45,000.

Anthony Gormley’s box