Why Sir Ian Botham opened my latest exhibition

I've been asked socially why ashes hero Sir Ian Botham launched the first Dollarsandart U.K exhibition at According To McGee, the Tower Street contemporary art gallery in York. There are several reasons for this so please do read on....

Sir Ian Botham pictured with  Greg McGee & Dani Wilson

It was far more than a well timed publicity stunt, you see. Gallery owner Greg Mcgee England cricketer and Sky Sports commentator Sir Ian chatted to collectors, posed for photos, and even collaborated on a canvas with me that  will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to York charity New Visuality, as part of New York, YOU York, my inaugural British solo show.

"This is one of the most multi-faceted projects overseen by According To McGee," says gallery director Greg McGee. "I've had some people querying the Beefy Botham connection, but when you think about Sir Ian's charitable achievements, and how New Visuality benefits from this exhibition, it makes perfect sense."

New Visuality worked closely with young people with disabilities on preventative exercise and digital creativity, integrating the work created in their art sessions with the Dollarsandart paintings.

"As ever, the work looks great, and Sir Ian was mightily impressed with the likes of Dani Wilson's My Ability Is Stronger Than My Disability," says co-director Ails McGee. "His finishing touches to Jim's painted canvas is up for auction, and we're taking bids, with all proceeds going back into our charity.

It was touching actually meeting people from New Visuality who will benefit from this and  it really drove home how all this passion I have for Dollarsandart can be continued to be channelled into genuine good causes.

"We're grateful to Jim for arranging Sir Ian's involvement. As UK patron of Dollarsandart, and as Dollarsandart is all about sport and art, his presence really endowed the day with a sense of event."

Sir Ian enjoyed his day in York and before he headed off down to Cardiff to embark on his Sky Sports Ashes commentating he said:-

"It was a great pleasure to open Jim's show supporting New Visuality. I'm impressed with how he's developed his work and recommend attending New York, YOU York this month."

I didn't even pay him to say that but really appreciated him giving up the time.

Sport meets Art meets business : Club Fit for Business

The Botham connection also validated Sport meeting Business as Arts & Culture Ambassador for Club Fit For Business, an award winning global sports business community, connecting people and companies who have a passion for sport, as well as promoting business & the wider message of sport and its values. Their vision is for a better working world founded on the virtues of courage and wisdom.

What of Dollarsandart? What the gallery said :

Jim's naive and relentless focus on the dollar motif in his work is a departure for According To McGee, as Greg explains. "The Holy Grail for most contemporary artists is that childlike sense of wonder and mischief. This stuff is bursting with that. There's also something heavier and more philosophical in the constant focus on the American dollar," he says.

"He's based in Dubai and has seen it for himself, up close. That concept interested us as much as his vivid mark making, and also helped, I suppose, to strengthen the Ian Botham link."

My take on it is that In Dubai, as in everywhere, money talks, but it doesn't have to be about bling. The dollar motif is an international reality, and for all capitalism's faults, I've seen for myself what benefits financial aid can bring.

I also thought that what with York's recent developments, with its UNESCO status and its embrace of charity in its tribute to Detroit Soup with its own York Soup, this was an interesting time to mix in an international vibe. With New York, YOU York, I've put a lot of effort into flipping the old adage around: you don't give until it hurts, you give until you feel good so on it goes.

For Greg, the bigger picture is how to weave an exhibition and its accompanying strands into the city's cultural landscape. "Make no mistake, this is a 'Make It York' project. It's outward looking, it's inclusive, and it has the energy that is so indicative of York's recent accomplishments," he says.

"It reflects well on all us, and we're already talking to Jim about his plans to bring a 2016 sequel to the gallery. He's started work on the collection, and has a concept in place. The Dollarsandart show will be called Que$t, and will be about 'taking us further down the rabbit hole'.

On the exhibition's final weekend, on August 1 and 2, I'll be  painting live  -  a metre-by-metre canvas live as part of an exhibition celebration and a teaser for the 2016 show. All are welcome and it's great to be back in the North of England taking stock before a busy season ahead in Dubai!

New York, YOU York runs at According To McGee, Tower Street, York, until August 2 - All are welcome!