Audi brand Ambassador and celebrated Australian artist, Vincent Fantauzzo, will donate 20 percent of the proceeds of his new ‘Offshore’ exhibition to the CYCA Safety of Life at Sea Trusts (SOLAS), following the exhibition’s opening at this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Offshore 1 by Vincent Fantauzzo

The exhibition was officially opened on Saturday 16 August 2014 by Vincent, together with Audi’s managing director, Andrew Doyle, the Oatley Family, and Fantauzzo’s wife, actress Asher Keddie.

Offshore 2 by Vincent Fantauzzo

Fantauzzo has created the five large format paintings for the major sailing and social event, which is sponsored by Audi and held on Hamilton Island from 16 – 23 August 2014.

Offshore 3 by Vincent Fantauzzo

Following the exhibition opening, the paintings will be available for sale throughout the major event, and 20 percent of the proceeds with be donated to the CYCA SOLAS Trusts. Each painting has been valued at $45,000.

“In creating this exhibition of seascapes I was interested in what compels an individual to pursue a passion that can’t be explained, whether it be the arts, driving, food, fashion, nature or sailing. There is often no explanation,” Vincent Fantauzzo commented about the exhibition.

Offshore 4 by Vincent Fantauzzo

“Passion drives people to make change and to aim for greatness, and I am compelled by that. Like art, sailing inspires and ignites passion. I was inspired by the idea that the ocean can be so mysterious, elusive, unpredictable. Creating this exhibition was an opportunity for me to understand what the ocean evokes for those who can’t resist it, and to learn and share with others who live their lives passionately,” Fantauzzo added.

Offshore 5 by Vincent Fantauzzo

Vincent Fantauzzo became an Audi Ambassador in 2013.

About the CYCA SOLAS Trust

Following the tragic loss of six lives in the 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts were established by the Club and a number of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s then Directors.

The Trusts are managed by a company trustee with five Board Members including a Chairman. The Trusts’ objectives are to:

– Assist the immediate needy family of those lost at sea during Yachting Australia sanctioned races

– Provide assistance to search and rescue organisations

– Foster research and training to improve procedures and equipment for use at sea.

Since they were established in 1999, the Trusts have distributed in excess of $920,000 to search and rescue organisations Australia wide.