Artist hopes mini art attracts big bucks for charity

Ohauiti artist Michael Sass has painted a scene on a matchbox as a fundraiser for Amnesty International. Photo / John Borren

It may be tiny, but it could be worth a lot to an international charity organisation.

Ohauiti artist Michael Sass has created a miniature pastel landscape, painted on a matchbox, as a fundraiser for Amnesty International.

The image, depicting a rural scene in Africa, was being auctioned on Trade Me with a start price of $150.

Sass found out about the "Strike" project when he received a Beehive matchbox in the mail from the charity organisation.

"I told me wife I'd like to do it. I thought because I'm a pastel artist, I brought some framing from South Africa that was very ethnic framing and if I put it in that behind glass it would make it a bit more authentic."

Sass grew up in South Africa so drew inspiration for his piece from thatch huts he had seen near his home on the Eastern Cape.

"I painted a rural scene, right out of my head. Those without lighting in South Africa, living in thatch huts, use matches to light their paraffin lamps."

Sass came to Tauranga in 2000 and started painting not long after that. He paints photo realism landscapes and is based at The Cargo Shed.

Other artists who have donated work included Virginia King and Shane Hansen, and musicians Jon Toogood and Tiki Taane.

The auction is running on Trade Me until April 2, click here.