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With about a month left until the end of the Tawasul Online Charity Auction, the bidding has so far exceeded all expectations and proceeds have soared beyond the half a million dirham mark. So far US$171,597.99 (AED631,601.70) has been raised to uplift under-privileged children through education, and this total is set to surge even higher with 17 masterpieces still up for grabs.
The artworks that attracted the most attention among art connoisseurs included ‘Graphemes on vellum’ by Tunisian artist Nja Mahdaoui, who has an international reputation for being a “choreographer of letters.” His Indian ink on vellum piece from 2007 proved so popular that it sold for 300% of its starting bid of US$20,000, ultimately fetching a very impressive US$60,000. Following hard on its heels was the 2010 mixed media piece ‘Divine Energy’ by veteran Lebanese artist Chaouki Chamoun, who has been earning rave reviews for his work since the 1970s. From a starting bid of US$15,000, his piece ended up selling for US$40,000, which will go a long way for the orphans.
The auction is a brainchild of Tawasul Orphans Education Fund, a leading Sharjah-based fund whose goal for 2013 is to fund 30 orphans. It is held under the generous patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Patron of Sharjah Business Women Council.
One of the biggest attractions that has enticed art lovers is the fact that 26 of the Arab world’s most exceptionally talented artists are participating. Meanwhile philanthropists are attracted by the opportunity to make an unforgettable difference in the lives of young orphans, who could themselves become tomorrow’s world-famous artists and leaders in other walks of life.
Jasmin Ruehling, Program Executive at Sharjah Business Women Council for the Tawasul Online Charity Auction, commented: “Every child is a potential masterpiece in the making, and deserves to start life on a fresh canvas. We are thrilled to have attracted passionate art connoisseurs and charitable members of society, but we urge more bidders to join us in this once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy the 17 remaining masterpieces. Whether or not a bid wins, the real winners are the children - because education empowers them with a limitless color palette to paint their own brighter futures.”
The all-star line-up of locally and regionally renowned artists features Nja Mahdoui, Khaled Al Saai, Chaouki Chamoun and Farhad Moshiri, among other artists from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Syria, Palestine, Oman, Kuwait and Jordan.
Ms Ruehling added: “Art has become much more dynamic and is no longer restricted to paintings. Our auction has something to satisfy art lovers in every medium – from sculpture, photography, videography, digital art and much more. 100% of our proceeds will be invested in higher education, professional training and career development for orphans all over the UAE. The artwork will serve as a lifelong reminder of all the young lives that have been transformed, so we invite all those who love art – and those who love children – to converge online and make this auction a true masterpiece of generosity.”
The auction runs until 20th August 2013, and all interested participants are urged to immediately place their bids for the 17 remaining artworks on the Tawasul online charity website: www.tawasulfund.ae/home
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