Artwork by Lara Favaretto Raises Funds for Asylum Link Charity

The Liverpool Biennial team present Asylum Link Merseyside with £1,224. Photo: Niall Lea

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We are delighted to share that the Liverpool Biennial 2016 commission Momentary Monument – The Stone by Italian artist Lara Favaretto has raised £1,224 for local charity Asylum Link Merseyside.

The artwork – a giant, 24-tonne granite boulder – was situated on Rhiwlas Street in the heart of Toxteth for the duration of Liverpool Biennial 2016. The stone was hollow inside and passers-by were invited to drop money into a slot, with all funds going to a local charity designated by the artist, Asylum Link Merseyside. Founded in 2001, the Liverpool-based organisation is dedicated to assisting asylum seekers and refugees and raising awareness around refugee issues.

Lara Favaretto, Momentary Monument – The Stone, 2016

£1,224 was raised for the charity in total over the 14 weeks, with the cash donated in 13 different currencies, including Canadian dollars, Mexican pesos and Chinese yuan. The funds raised were presented to the charity by Kathleen Soriano, Chair of Liverpool Biennial, with Sally Tallant, Director of Liverpool Biennial, and Louise Ellman MP, Labour & Co-operative Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside, also in attendance.

Artist Lara Favaretto said: “I am delighted that my work for the Biennial has raised both money and awareness around the issues confronting refugees. The artwork is a part of a wider series questioning the temporary and transient nature of all public monuments. I chose Asylum Link Merseyside because of the vital role the charity plays in its local area and community. It addresses a most pertinent issue around the plight of asylum seekers internationally at this very moment.”

Ewan Roberts, Centre Manager for Asylum Link Merseyside, said: “To be told that the artwork had raised over £1,200 for our cause was fantastic. It provides important financial assistance and we could not exist without help like this. It’s very heartwarming that people will take the time to think about the asylum seekers who are arriving here. People have given their hard-earned money to help us do something about it and we are very grateful to them, and to Liverpool Biennial and Lara Favaretto, for making this possible.”

Sally Tallant, Director of Liverpool Biennial, said: “Lara Favaretto’s work was one of the highlights of Liverpool Biennial 2016 and attracted huge national and international attention. We’re delighted that it has also led to this donation to Asylum Link to support their vital work with refugees and asylum seekers.”