Market Harborough, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/21/2017 -- Jeans donated by Alicia Vikander, Bryan Adams, Carla Bruni, Hrithik Roshan, Melanie C, Salma Hayek, Vivienne Westwood and more are now available for a limited time only at SiOTT Gallery.

With the support of more than 100 celebrities, internationally acclaimed artist and designer, Johny Dar, has put his artistic talents to work raising funds for the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org).

The initiative itself sounds simple. Celebrities donate their jeans. Johny Dar paints them. The 'Jeans For Refugees' are exhibited and auctioned to raise funds, which are donated to the IRC - an organisation based in New York and at work in over 30 countries, that responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.

Passing from artists who have much, through the hands of a spirited artist with much heart, 'Jeans for Refugees' represent more than a global charity action. This is a conceptual art project on a global scale, wherein the created pieces stand together as a coherent group, and as individual symbols of a grander idea. The 'Jeans for Refugees' interconnect different aspects of art, from the performing arts of the celebrity donors, to the performative nature of the fashion exhibition - these unique art pieces are conceptual allusions to the global refugee crisis and symbols of hope for a brighter future.

'Jeans for Refugees' will be exhibited live around the world throughout 2017, but for those that simply can't wait for the auctions later this year, selected pieces are available to buy exclusively online at SiOTT Gallery.

The Jeans for Refugees collection is an eclectic and vibrant array of artworks affirming that every human life has an equal value, and a right to exist in stability and peace. The jeans can be framed, worn, collected or given as a meaningful, unforgettable gift. Dar's artistic quest has been to immortalise each celebrity through the design of the denims they donated for the cause. Layers of textured fabric paint, inspired by the celebrity who wore them, transform the memorabilia into unique sculptural paintings - unconventional and extraordinary objects formed at the intersection of art and pop culture, in response to the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

The celebrities that stand together for the refugee cause are an awe-inspiring vanguard of talent, who have achieved worldwide recognition for their work across various industries and have united for 'Jeans For Refugees'; from actors such as Emma Stone, Salma Hayek, Ryan Gosling and Daniel Radcliffe to musicians Ozzy Osbourne and P!nk, to designer Vivienne Westwood, singer Florence Welch and models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Sharon Stone - whose jeans were the first to arrive - commented, 'It was my honour to donate anything at all to be of service to these refugees. In our own history around the globe, we, all of us, were moving country to country in our ancestral history to become who we are; a glorious global community.'

For artist Johny Dar, the JFR initiative came as a personal response to the ongoing refugee crisis. 'Jeans For Refugees' started as a humble dream of wanting to make a difference through what I can do, on a personal level, which is painting those jeans - and the rest was only possible through the generous souls that have contributed to this project' he says. 'The refugee crisis has had an impact on everyone — it moves us all, it concerns us all. The concept behind 'Jeans for Refugees' is to spread a message through art, to create positive change and empower people to collaborate for a common goal.' A smile breaks over him. 'I'm just an artist who's wild and free who wants to see this world as a happy place, and I believe through art and collaboration we can paint a new paradigm and inspire a brighter world.'

Jeans for Refugees has been showcased in Berlin, Milan, New York, and London during 2016, and will continue to be exhibited throughout 2017. The Saatchi Gallery in London saw its highest selling piece donated by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, sold for £100,000.

For more information on Jeans For Refugees, the celebrities participating in the initiative, and the upcoming exhibition in New York, visit jeansforrefugees.com

About Johny Dar
Johny Dar is an artist and designer pioneering an original form of artistic expression through art, fashion, multimedia and music. Dar's ground-breaking work delivers a new renaissance of artistic expression and experience to a global audience, and has earned him international acclaim across a wide range of media and industries. He founded the Johny Dar brand as a true lifestyle brand, offering a global audience a fresh perspective on the possibilities of life through original experiences in art, fashion, music, multimedia and interior design. Dar's passion for originality is palpable in every aspect of his work, and his signature style as outstanding in his paintings as his light installations, prints, couture, illustration, sportswear and music. His work has been featured in publications including Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Fault, Hunger, Kaltblut, Aesthetica, Tatler, Flair and many others. For more information about Johny Dar, visit johnydar.com or contact Kashi Money @ kashi@johnydar.com / 0044 7720 613 041.

About the IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

About the SiOTT Gallery
SiOTT is an innovative online art gallery, showcasing and successfully selling contemporary art since 2010. The SiOTT Gallery works with outstanding emerging talent and undiscovered hidden gems from around the world, aiming to make art accessible to more people. and representing artists whose application in contemporary art is effortlessly compelling with a unique perspective.

SiOTT Gallery
Claudia Elliott
+44 845 852 0151
info@siottgallery.com
www.siottgallery.com
7 Garfield Close LE 16 8GD, UK