James Delaney’s art has contributed towards raising over $360,000 for charity support in South Africa; his art was auctioned at a gala in New York.
New York, South Africa (03 March 2023) – James Delaney is famous for his work in restoring the Johannesburg “Wilds”. He placed beautiful artworks along the paths and near ponds, to draw in visitors to the once abandoned space.
The Wilds Nature Reserve is a 40-acre assemblage of indigenous vegetation, serene water ponds, a fountain, and fetching art installations. It was in 2014 when artist and eco-activist James Delaney, a community member of Houghton, started the revitalisation of The Wilds project and then a few years later, received an AfriSam-SAIA Award for his work.
Delaney managed to raise over R1 million to help restore this gem in Joburg. He mobilised a group of volunteers and together they worked to revive the area. They pulled out dead trees, replanted flower beds and repainted benches.
With his studio overlooking the park, he has done some of his best works to date. Delaney specialises in sculpture, working with metal and making beautiful “cut outs” of the images and creatures that inspire him most. He has done work for New York-based Starfish Greathearts Foundation for some time now and was delighted to see some his works auctioned off at a recent gala.
The gala was raising funds for the foundation’s South African chapter, which supports orphans and vulnerable children, and was able to raise over $360,000. The Starfish team also commissioned two awards made by Delaney, which were handed out at the gala as well.
The gala is a celebration of South African foods and wines, all in the hopes of raising funds to support orphaned children.
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