LEGENDARY YOUNG ARTIST, HAZEL DOONEY, CREATES A SERIES OF LIMITED EDITION TINS FOR LEGENDS CONDOMS!

In what is believed to be an unusual first, Australian artist Hazel Dooney has agreed to licence her name and six images from her 2009 solo exhibition, New Canon of 21st Century Saints. The images will be used for a limited edition series of tins manufactured by Legends, a boutique Australian condom manufacturer.

The tins will be distributed throughout Australia, New Zealand, the US and possibly Europe.

The launch is planned to coincide with the opening of the New Canon of 21st Century Saints exhibition at the MARS Gallery in Melbourne
on St Valentines Day 2009. The exhibition's opening night party will
be hosted by Legends.

This is a particularly daring step on the part of the young entrepreneur Daniel Moeschinger, founder and managing director of Legends, given Dooney's history of controversial and sexually explicit art. Her installation, Sex Tourist, was a highlight of Art Melbourne '07 but was censored by the organisers and sponsors. Controversy also ensued when World Vision Australia forced the organisers of a charity auction to remove two of her small, unprovocative works because of concerns regarding the content of the rest of her work.

"It's a big thrill to work with an artist of Hazel Dooney's caliber," Mr. Moeschinger said, "I approached her because she is exceptionally talented, smart and unafraid to step outside the norm. Besides, I love her imagery: her women are strong, sexy and unembarrassed, just like her, and they perfectly express Legends' brand values!"

He added, "It's an exceptional opportunity for a small Australian company like ours."

Born in 1978, Hazel Dooney's fast-rising reputation and success as a young artist has been enhanced by her insistence on working apart from the traditional gallery and institutional art system , emulating British artists such as Damien Hirst and Banksy and of course,
the late Andy Warhol.

Regarding the licencing arrangement with Legends, Hazel Dooney said, "It's a great way to distribute and increase awareness of art to people who may not otherwise be able to afford it or who have yet
to become really interested in it."

For further information about Hazel Dooney and her art, visit her
web site at hazeldooney.com as well as her popular blog,
Self Vs Self at hazeldooney.blogspot.com

Legends condoms are available from
Woolworths/Safeway stores Australia wide.