Want to win $1m USD? Australian artist CJ Hendry has a simple proposition for you: drain 34 consecutive shots in her new basketball HOOP sculpture and you can win one of her large-scale drawings and the big money prize.
Made in conjunction with the City of Miami and the return of Art Basel Miami Beach, which officially opens to the public today, Hendry’s latest project features a 20-foot-tall cobalt blue tree with 34 hoops that are made to mimic a chandelier. Located just by the water in the Wynwood District, the artwork was a refreshing change of pace to Hendry’s drawing practice and temporary exhibitions.
“This HOOPS concept is my first foray into a permanent public concept, she said in a statement. “I am so fortunate to be partnering with the Miami City council in such a big capacity. They took a risk on me and I am very grateful for the opportunity. Designing HOOPS Tree has been interesting because its scale is enormous and it’s so much heavier than I anticipated. The engineering team helped with the specs to make it safe and sturdy. All these components make for a fascinating combination of practicality and creativity. Having an artwork that will live on in a public space indefinitely is a real honor and I am so excited to see it come to life,” Hendry added.
The HOOPS projects will coincide with the release of six drawings of blue basketballs. Limited to an edition of 600, each artwork will only be made available to past clients of the artist. One of the editions will have a linked golden ticket to claim the prize to win a giant drawing and anyone who successfully sinks 34 baskets in a row in each hoop on video until December 9 can claim the cash prize of $1m USD.
