Beirut, March 14, 2019:
After the success of the two first editions in 2015 and 2017, the Happy Childhood Foundation decided to organize a third edition of their Contemporary Art Auction which will take place on Thursday March 14th, 2019 at the MIM Museum in Beirut; MIM’s President Mr. Salim Eddé will chair the event.
Having a long history of supporting contemporary art and artists, UBS Switzerland AG is this year’s auction exclusive sponsor. UBS has one of the world’s largest and most important corporate art collections and seeks to advance the international conversation about the art market through its global lead partnership with Art Basel and as co-publisher of the ‘Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report’. UBS also has partnerships with the most internationally renowned fine art institutions around the world. The UBS Arts Forum convenes and connects exceptional people in the art world, providing thought leadership at the cutting edge of contemporary art.
With the support of London’s renowned auction house Sotheby’s, the 2019 edition is taken to yet another level of excellence and quality standards. Martin Klosterfelde, who holds the position of Senior Director and Senior Specialist in the Contemporary Art department at Sotheby’s, will lead the auction of 21 works of art by leading international and regional contemporary artists including Julian Schnabel, Jeff Elrod, Katherine Bernhardt, Rashid Johnson, Brian Calvin, Raymond Pettibon, Michael Biberstein, Nadim Karam, Samia Halaby, Lara Baladi and many more. All these works have been donated to the Happy Childhood Foundation through leading galleries in New York, Chicago, London, Brussels, Paris, and the Middle East region.
About this year’s auction, Mrs. Amira Rizk, member of the Board of HCF Lebanon and President of its Events Committee, says: “An Advisory Board of leading art collectors, curators, gallerists, advisors, and artists are also supporting this year’s edition; their know-how, connections, and support are key factors in the realization of this project. In addition, we have expanded our network of partner galleries, namely Vito Schnabel, Xavier Hufkens, Almine Rech, and Lehmann Maupin galleries from the USA and Europe, Tanit and Mashrabia galleries from the Middle East, all of which were carefully selected among the best worldwide. We are very grateful for their trust and support, and for the generosity of all the artists who have gracefully donated their works.”
Mrs. Rizk continued, “We are overwhelmed by the support of so many individuals and organizations, with generous hearts and compassion. Their support and generosity allow us to reach our objectives and share the joy of bringing happiness to so many underprivileged children.”
In Lebanon, HCF has already provided support to thousands of children in the areas of basic necessities, protection, health, education, and recreation; all proceeds from the 2019 auction will contribute to support the foundation’s children’s rehabilitation program at the Laetitia Hatem Rehabilitation Centre (LHRC) at Hotel Dieu de France hospital in Beirut. This center has fast become a center of rehabilitation excellence in the Middle East and in 2018 alone, it has provided ten thousand physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions to almost two hundred children, with remarkable cases of recovered health, autonomy, dignity, and hope.
Since its first edition in 2015, the Happy Childhood Foundation Contemporary Art Auction has grown in both size and importance and is becoming a milestone in local and regional art circles, drawing more attention and support from galleries, artists, art collectors, and other concerned stakeholders; its purpose to help fund children programs is also attracting an increasing number of institutional and individual supporters.
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