Charity auction to give food aid to disadvantaged

DUBAI: On Saturday, Dubai will host a one-ofa-kind charity art auction to raise funds for the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign that aims to provide food aid for disadvantaged individuals and families in 30 countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Organised by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in cooperation with Maupy Auction, the live in-person auction will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, featuring rare artworks and artefacts from the personal collections of world leaders and some of the greatest contemporary masters including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Joan Miro and David Hockney.

The in-person auction will host several philanthropists, artists, high-profile personalities, and businessmen to support ‘100 Million Meals’ aid efforts.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) will head the list of atendees that include Florian Picasso, the great grandson of the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso; Sacha Jafri, Guinness World Records Holder and British artist; Sima Ved, Founder & Chairwoman of Apparel Group; Vikram Shroff, Director UPL Group.; Mona Katan, Co-founder of Huda Beauty & Kayali Fragrances; German tennis player Borris Becker; and Marjorie Harvey, wife of American TV host Steve Harvey.

Radio and TV presenter Tom Urquhart will be a guest speaker for the night.

Known for his comedic approach in emceeing events, especially charity auctions, Jonny Gould, former presenter of the sunrise programme on Sky News and sports news anchor on Radio Smooth and BBC Radio 2, will host the evening, which is set to kick off at 9pm.

Headlining the auction will be a rare piece of the Kaaba cover, embroidered in gold and silver, donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Up for bidding will also be two rare drawings by the late South African President Nelson Mandela, the ‘Swallow’ line drawing and the ‘Swallow’ in black and white, which came directly from his family.

A truly one-of-a-kind piece, Henri Matisse’s ‘Fleurs dans un vase’ (Flower in a vase) will also be auctioned.

Later in the evening, seven 23-carat gold medallions by Pablo Picasso – ‘Faune Cavalier’, ‘Visage de Faune’, ‘Profile de Jacqueline’, ‘Horloge a la Ligne’, ‘ Jacqueline Au Chevalet’, ‘Tete Au Masque’, and ‘Vaullaris’ – will be sold to the highest bidder atending.