Renowned Sheffield-based street artist, Bubba 2000, is set to collaborate with two local social enterprises; ‘Blend Kitchen’ and ‘Printed By Us’, on what they hope to establish as a ‘Sheffield Icons’ print and garment series, starting with the launch of Jarvis Cocker inspired t-shirts and sweaters. Bubba 2000 is an ambassador at Blend Kitchen, who create amazing dishes out of their new Ecclesall Road restaurant, while creating life changing opportunities for some of Sheffield’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised people.
Bubba 2000 said: “Having been an ambassador for Blend Kitchen for over a year now, it’s warmed the cockles of my cynical, jaded heart to see how much good they’re doing in and for the local community, and through that times I’ve learned more about the work they’ve done in collaboration with ‘Printed By Us’ so to me it seemed like a no brainer to all work on some projects together!”
For many trainees, Blend Kitchen is their first ever experience of paid employment; they give them back their dignity and pride, and a future, whilst challenging societal misconceptions and prejudices.
Founder and Executive Head Chef of Blend Kitchen, Chris Hanson, said: “Just eight months after opening Blend Kitchen on Ecclesall Road, to be involved in such an awesome collaboration is a proud moment; Bubba 2000’s work is so iconic and his support as a Blend Kitchen Ambassador comes from his heart with true passion.
“The money raised will make such a difference to the work we do.”
They’ve partnered with ‘Printed By Us’, part of the Cathedral Archer Project, who run screen printing workshops and employ people who have experienced homelessness and other adversities; they also have a retail unit at Meadowhall Shopping Centre and an online shop where they sell the products, designed by local creatives, that they’ve produced.
Last year, Bubba 2000 collaborated with Jarvis Cocker to reproduce a limited edition sold-out screen print run of the iconic image of Jarvis that he painted on the back of the Fat Cat pub in Kelham Island, where a portion of the profits went to Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
With the upcoming collaboration – that starts with t-shirts, sweaters, and hoodies of the same Jarvis image – both Blend Kitchen and the Archer Project will benefit from a majority share of the profits, with the garments, all premium quality products made from a blend of organic cotton fibres and recycled plastic bottles, produced by Printed By Us in Sheffield.
Head of Social Enterprise at the Cathedral Archer Project, Terry Murphy, said: “As a brand firmly rooted in Sheffield, it’s a real pleasure to reproduce a design of such a local icon, whilst at the same time supporting another fantastic local social enterprise as well as our own.
“Big thanks to Bubba 2000 and Jarvis for their support in making this collaboration happen.” Just in time for Christmas, they hope this will be the first in a series of ‘Sheffield Icons’ designs with
images of others due to pop up on walls across the city over the coming year, and screen prints and garments to accompany them sooner thereafter.
For now, they are keeping the identities of the future legends under wraps, with Bubba 2000 saying: “We will reveal each legend one at a time, but I can say we have some really big names lined up to create a truly unique range of work.
“Like me, they want to be part of a really cool project that will help two amazing not-for-profit organisations that make a real difference in our city.”
Get your t-shirt or hoodie online now at printedbyus.org or bubba2000art.bigcartel.com. Alternatively, they are available at Blend Kitchen or the Printed by Us shop in Meadowhall shopping centre.
