The Heart of Art Exhibition: Art Auction to Fundraise for the Victims of Famine in the Horn of Africa

Kenya Tue 30-08-2011

The Heart of Art Exhibition: Art Auction to Fundraise for the Victims of Famine in the Horn of Africa
By Zihan Kassam | AfricanColours.com

Through Kenyans for Kenya and several other successful fundraising campaigns, Kenyans have managed to provide relief to thousands of undernourished people but, in one of the worst droughts we’ve ever experienced here, it will unfortunately take over a year to restore the livelihood of famine affected areas. In the meanwhile, it’s time to get more innovative, perhaps to use what we do and what we love to do in order to service to our people in need. Think about it for a moment. What’s in your hands to impart?

Tabitha wa Thuku's 'Helping'

Philanthropists such as the Managing Director at The Village Market, Hamed Ehsani, have been formulating new ways to do something about the tragedy unfolding in front of our eyes. From his love for art, one of the steps he’s taken is to organize the ‘Heart for Art’ event. The exhibition is facilitated by The Village Market’s creative team in combination with members from the Kenyan art community. All proceeds will go to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) mission to supply provisions within famine affected areas in Northern Kenya.

The exhibition, entailing a unique-style silent auction, will take place from September 8th-12th daily at the New Exhibition Hall. Generous artists of all genres have donated paintings, sculptures, carvings and other artistic accessories towards the cause. They’ve literally rushed out of the woodwork to help their fellow people.

The support has been incredible as some Kenyans donated paintings straight off their living room walls. We’re well past the submission deadline and the paintings keep rolling in. “Now what?” the team says with smiles on their faces, “The catalogue’s already been sent off for print!”

As Kenyan art encounters intense growth spurts of late, the majority of work on display will be those of either the upcoming or celebrated artists from the new scene in the making. Some of the names that stand out include recognized contemporary painters Yassir Ali Mohammed, Moses Nyawanda and Beth Kimwele from the Kuona Trust Art Centre. Major donations have also been made by art strongholds including The Lily Ponds Arts Centre, Gallery Watatu, the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) and the Diani Beach Art Gallery.

The GoDown Arts Centre has been especially supportive towards the exhibition as hefty donations were contributed by the well-loved Patrick Mukabi, Tom Mboya, Charles Ngatia, Dickson Kaloki and many more. Other recognized donor-artists include Peter Elungat, Anne Mwiti, Pascal Chuma, Tabitha wa Thuku and Samuel Njoroge Nguguna. A little out of control we admit, the list continues to grow.

The art, produced for art’s sake, has been created by artists working on their own content. Most of the works had been created prior to the call. Hence, the art displayed will not have a theme but will consist of a variety of styles and subject matter.

The exhibition hopes to attract art lovers, humanitarians, charity donors and those who trust that art can make a difference. All proceeds will be converted in to foodstuffs and trucked to regions that need them the most as decided by the Kenya Red Cross Society at the end of September.

All are welcome.

Heart of Art Exhibition

The ‘Heart of Art’ exhibition will run from September 8-12, 2011 from 10am – 6pm daily

Posted By: Allan Kapten

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