Art matters! Joining hands for Covid-19 relief
As the second wave of the pandemic rages on in the country, artists and photographers are fighting the dark times with art. They have started a slew of initiatives to help NGOs in their Covid relief work.
Over 50 artists from across the world have joined hands to raise funds, by contributing their works for sale, as a part of Offset Projects’ fundraiser. Delhi-based artist Anshika Verma, says, “This is taking place over two weeks (May 14 to 30), where each artist’s work is being sold online. All the funds raised shall be donated to Hemkunt Foundation and Swabhiman Society; excluding printing and shipping costs.”
Similarly, Photographers for Covid Relief is an initiative where eight eminent photographers are donating photographs from their collections. The prints will be sold online, and the proceeds will go towards relief work. Another initiative by 20 photographers from the Diversify Photo collective raised funds for non-profits. “The photographers shortlisted seven non-profits like Adivasi Lives Matter, Goonj and Last Wilderness Foundation. We are glad to have been able to contribute to the work they are doing,” says Alisha Vasudev, a member of the collective.
A city-based art gallery, DAG hosted Sale of 51, which helped raise ₹1 crore in support of charity institutions working towards Covid relief. The sale concluded within 36 hours with 46 artworks being sold within the first five hours. “We believe in the healing power of art and in the power of giving,” says Ashish Anand from DAG.