Friday, Apr 26, 2013
Dubai: In an effort to support the World Food Programme’s (WFP) food assistance programmes in Pakistan, a series of 55 paintings donated by Pakistani artists, private collectors and art galleries will be auctioned.
Planned to take place in Mina A’Salam Hotel in Dubai, the paintings will be auctioned off by Christie’s, an international company that offers art auctions around the globe. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the WFP in Pakistan which aims to reach out millions of people this year, with the goal of improving economic opportunities and social inclusion in FATA (tribal areas).
“The WFP’s programmes in Pakistan are one of the biggest programmes, where we reached out to 12.5 million people inside Pakistan last year, and we plan to reach four million this year, of which 1.5 million will be school children,” said Ashraf Hamouda, WFP Head of Partnerships and Business Development for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe at a press conference held today.
The idea behind the Contemporary Pakistani Art Now auction was initiated by two prominent Pakistani collectors, Abdul Rahman Mir and Irfan Mustafa.
“The Contemporary Pakistani Art Now auction serves two main objectives: to support the World Food Programme’s food assistance programmes for the poor and hungry, and to elevate Pakistani art to an international platform by highlighting the works of Masters and upcoming artists alike,” said Mir.
Promoting both Pakistani art masters and established artists, the auction will also be an opportunity to promote the works of emerging artists.
“We want the Pakistani community to show their numbers to feed the hungry in Pakistan and to put the young artists on an international platform,” added Mir.
Public viewing of the auction is set to take place on April 30, and the auction will take place on May 1, at Mina A’Salam Hotel in Dubai. The auction will include silent bidding as well as bidding at the stand.
By Jumana Khamis Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
