Art be a Part founder Medha Nanda says the newly-formed artist’s community, which stages its first fundraising event in Dubai on Saturday, is being welcomed as a unique platform to draw support for humanitarian causes.
Proceeds from the auction of artwork, contributed by artists and photographers from around the world, will be directed to Dubai Cares and UNICEF India.
Artist and philanthropist Nanda says her passion for supporting humanitarian initiatives, particularly those providing aid for vulnerable children in India, has been matched by the overwhelming response to her plans.
“It’s been heartening to see so many people coming forward who want to help and be part of what we’re doing,” she said. We’re meeting people who say they’ve been looking for the right space to do this, and we’re pleased to provide that.”
Earlier this week, Nanda staged a highly successful Art be a Part launch event in Delhi, where she also took part in a UNICEF India field visit which was “humbling and eye-opening.”
Saturday’s auction at the Taj Dubai is staged as part of the TiLT Festival and Conference, which features two-panel discussions, including one on ‘The Arts as a Medium for Awareness and Social Impact.’
Among the panelists will be Ricky Kej, the internationally renowned Indian music composer, environmentalist, and UNICEF Celebrity Supporter, who makes his live musical Dubai debut at the end of the evening.
Panelists also include Amrita Sethi, the first NFT artist in the UAE and creator of the world’s largest augmented reality mural.
Speakers for the second-panel discussion, themed ‘Business & Technology’s Role In Social Impact’, include Ankur Gupta, Head of Corporate Affairs, Tata Group, Middle East & North Africa, Kumar Mahapatra, Head of Corporate Banking, Commercial Bank International, and TiLT Festival and Conference co-founder, Akshai Sarin.
Said Sarin: “We are delighted to collaborate with Art be a Part at the start of an exciting journey for Medha, her team, and the community, and we look forward to some fascinating discussions by our two panels of experts.”
The artwork for the auction has been contributed by artists such as Russian-born Natalia Kapchuk, known for her environmentally-centered mixed-media works, renowned Italian contemporary artist Pablo Dana, and Hollywood actor and musician, Luke Goss.
Together valued at $100,000, two serigraphs from Goss’s striking original paintings, ‘Talitha and ‘Journey’, are among the works expected to create the most interest.