Release International
'Hope' for sale - Release Intl auctions painting to help N Korean refugees |
| Nov 21 2011 |
Release International is putting ‘Hope’ up for auction – a giant oil painting depicting how hope is being brought to the people of North Korea, one of the world’s most troubled nations.
The 5ft by 4ft oil painting depicts the gospel message of hope being delivered from the air to North Korea by Christian leaflets dropped from helium-filled balloons.
The canvas, which is the work of young artist Emma Butler, is being auctioned on eBay and the proceeds will be used for Release International’s work among North Korean refugees. To bid on eBay, go to www.releaseinternational.org/auction
‘The more you look at this work of art the more it provokes you to think, which is brilliant,’ says Release CEO Andy Dipper. ‘You may even look at the painting as an investment. Either way, the winning bidder will be investing into the lives of persecuted North Korean Christians.
‘Emma’s painting shows the light of the gospel breaking through the darkness of that land. The painting has been on public display and we hope it has inspired many Christians to engage with the issue of persecution in the hermit kingdom.’
North Korea has rounded up entire families into prisons that have been likened to concentration camps.
Those who flee the country face being shot on sight by border guards or trafficked as slaves in China. Release is supporting safe houses and is working with local Christian partners to provide health care and pastoral support to refugees.
More than 30,000 people have so far signed a Release petition calling on North Korea to allow its citizens to practise their faith in freedom.
The petition form can be downloaded from the Releasewebsite or signed online at www.releaseinternational.org/petition
London artist Emma Butler, who’s just 17, said: ‘North Koreans desperately need to hear God’s message of hope. Christians are reaching out to them with balloons carrying Gospel messages about Jesus. To see light coming in is what I wanted to capture and communicate. It’s such a beautiful image - this idea of hope coming across the horizon.’
Through its international network of missions Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Photographs of Emma and her painting are available for download from: http://release.thirdlight.com/a.tlx?k=s6bzh5g Please credit Release International.
For a country profile on North Korea and news stories on that nation please go to:
For further information, please contact Release International on 01689 823491, or by email at info@releaseinternational.org
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