Dubai: In the first-of-its-kind auction aimed at supporting the work carried out by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Pakistan, 56 paintings by Pakistani masters and emerging artists were sold on May 1 at the Mina A’Salam Hotel in Dubai, raising more than Dh850,000.
The Pakistani Contemporary Art Now exhibition was auctioned off by Christie’s, an international company that offers art auctions around the globe, and was attended by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
“The various works arouse a hunger for art. When we satisfy that hunger, we will also relieve the hunger of Pakistani children. And we will award the artists of Pakistan with the international recognition that they deserve,” said Shaikh Nahyan.
The artwork was donated by artists, private collectors and art galleries. Renowned artists such as Gulgee, Sadequain, Ahmad Pervez and Bashir Mirza won the highest bids of the evening, while collectors were offered an opportunity to invest in promising artists.
“This year, WFP aims to assist about four million people across the country. Our activities in Pakistan essentially seek to meet the basic food needs of one million people in the northwest, foster employment and social inclusion in the Fata region [Federally Administered Tribal Areas],” said Ashraf Hamouda, WFP Regional Head of Private Partnerships and Business Development.
Hamouda added the proceeds will also help boost the resilience of communities in areas prone to natural disasters, and tackle the issue of moderate acute malnutrition among young children and women through adapted assistance.
