Dubai: A red cherry heart in a neon-blue glass circled by rib-like rings can be very suggestive. As the artist behind the image explains, it is a reminder to be careful while indulging in the joys of life.
On display at the British Consulate on Tuesday, Calypso by visiting British artist Brendan Neiland was one of 15 pieces of contemporary art whose sale will help fund research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), a UK-based charity.
"All prints are original silkscreens done in London," said Neiland, adding that there are 100 boxes of 15 prints each.
The striking images of the heart, all carrying potent messages, are the outcome of a conscious effort by the artists to work around a theme given to them by the BHF: Mending Broken Hearts. The portfolio artists include such names as Sir Peter Blake, Patrick Hughes, Bruce McLean and John Hoyland.
Lance Trevellyan, BHF Trustee, said: "Through this new appeal, we hope to raise money to fund regenerative medicine through stem cell research."
He said the BHF, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, raised £110 million (Dh657 million) for research last year. Each of the 100 boxes costs £10,000 (Dh59,710).
