When people think of humanitarian work, they often picture clinics, classrooms, or solar panels lighting up rural villages. But at the Collective Empowerment Foundation (CEF), we know that empowerment can take many forms—and one of them is art.
That belief is what sparked a values-driven partnership with Rochfort Gallery, one of Sydney’s premier art spaces known for showcasing powerful contemporary work by both emerging and established artists. Together, CEF and Rochfort are demonstrating how creativity and philanthropy can come together to generate real, measurable impact in some of the world’s most remote regions.
A Creative Collaboration That Raised Over $20,000
In Feburary 2025, CEF and Rochfort Gallery hosted a fundraising art exhibition in support of CEF’s development work in Papua New Guinea. The event brought together artists, philanthropists, and supporters from across Sydney—including Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe, whose attendance highlighted the importance of the cause.
The result? Over $20,000 AUD in donations raised in a single afternoon.
These funds have since been directed toward:
- Providing clean water systems in remote villages
- Supporting CEF’s Birthing Initiative in Kiunga, helping reduce maternal health risks
- Supplying medical kits and basic infrastructure to communities still disconnected from formal services
This event wasn’t just a fundraiser—it was a milestone. It demonstrated that people from all walks of life are willing to invest in the dignity and potential of communities thousands of kilometres away, when given a meaningful and beautiful way to do so.
Why Art?
At its core, art is about connection. It allows us to feel across distances and imagine lives beyond our own. For CEF, which works in communities that are physically and digitally isolated, art became a powerful tool to bridge the gap between Sydney and Papua New Guinea—not just emotionally, but economically.
Through the partnership with Rochfort, art lovers and collectors have the opportunity to:
- Engage with stories of resilience, culture, and remote innovation
- Support village-made solutions to challenges like childbirth, energy access, and clean water
- Contribute to a model of development that is ethical, community-led, and culturally respectful
Building a Bridge Between Creativity and Change
The art event was not simply about purchasing works—it was about experiencing a narrative.
Through photos, village profiles, and short-form storytelling, attendees were able to immerse themselves in the lives of those CEF serves. They saw how a water filter could prevent infection, how solar light could change a child’s ability to learn, and how reliable internet could reconnect families across mountains.
As artworks were acquired and conversations unfolded, gallery visitors became partners in impact—proving that art, when aligned with purpose, can spark something far greater than aesthetic appreciation.
Artists With a Cause
Many artists who contributed to the event did so because they believed in the mission of the Collective Empowerment Foundation. Some donated works in full, while others committed partial proceeds from their sales. Each one brought their unique vision to a cause that reaches far beyond gallery walls.
By featuring their works through Rochfort Gallery, and linking them to a cause of lasting relevance, these artists became co-creators of change—offering not only their talents, but their platforms, to help elevate stories from communities that are rarely seen or heard in Australia’s cultural spaces.
What’s Next for the Partnership
The success of this first event has laid the groundwork for future collaboration between CEF and Rochfort Gallery. Plans are already underway to host future exhibitions, and to further integrate storytelling, photography, and community-produced artwork into the gallery experience.
There is also growing interest in exploring PNG-based artistic partnerships, where traditional or contemporary art from Bougainville and Western Province could one day be showcased in Sydney—with proceeds returned directly to those communities.
In the long term, both CEF and Rochfort aim to create a model where art doesn’t just comment on the world—it helps transform it.
In Summary
The partnership between the Collective Empowerment Foundation and Rochfort Gallery shows what’s possible when creativity meets compassion.
In one evening, over $20,000 was raised. But more than that, a space was created where art connected people across oceans. Where collectors and changemakers stood side by side. Where the birth of a new development model was witnessed not in policy rooms—but under gallery lights.
🎨 To find out more about future events, donate an artwork, or support CEF’s work through art-based fundraising, contact us at:
📧 contact@collectiveempowermentfoundation.org
