Fundraising begins for Nick Cave statue & youth foundation

Nick Cave and British sculptor Corin Johnson cooked up the idea of a bronze statue of the singer 20 years ago.

Featuring a semi-nude Cave on a rearing horse, it was to be gifted to Warracknabeal – the Victorian country town where he was born in 1957.

Now, a crowdfunding campaign has started (see here) to raise $250,000 by September 15.

As of this morning, $1,215 had been donated.

The money is not just for the statue, with the campaign organisers stating that local businesses will benefit it from extra tourism, and also for the region’s young people.

“This will be achieved through the establishment of the Dawn and Colin Cave Youth Foundation, named after Nick’s parents who gave their time and energy to our community all those years ago.

“The Cave Foundation will be for the benefit of our local youth and will provide opportunities for education through the arts and social enterprise in our community.

“The Cave Foundation will sponsor artists in residence programs, school and community projects and events that will create learning, training and employment opportunities.”

If the crowdfunding campaign reaches its target, Johnson will start work on the statue to be readied in 12 months.