Noor Dubai Foundation raises Dh14.7m in auction

Art4Sight, an annual art exhibition and auction, organised by Noor Dubai Charity Foundation raised Dh14.7 million to fund blindness treatment, prevention and education programs globally.

Thirty-four local, Arab and international artists donated 44 pieces of their artwork to raise the funds.

Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, founder and director of Tashkeel, set a record for the most expensive Emirati artwork sold at a charity auction, after her ‘Sustaining Identity’ sold for Dh14 million.

The exhibition was supported by Zabeel Ladies Club and Tashkeel Studio and the auction was managed by Christie’s International.

“Through the funds raised by Art4Sight, we hope to restore eyesight as well as provide medications to protect against preventable blindness and provide eye-glasses to those who cannot afford them,” said Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation.

“Our programmes are in countries of need and we firmly believe that providing the gift of sight not only improves the quality of life of patients but also aids both economic and social development which is essential for these communities.”

She highlighted that the funds raised through this exhibition will mainly be used for Noor Dubai's upcoming mobile eye camps in countries of need.

Noor Dubai Foundation  successfully completed its latest mobile eye camp in Jehlum in Pakistan at the beginning of this month and will hold an eye-camp in Casablanca in Morocco next month. Noor Dubai is also deeply committed to Trachoma elimination in the Amhara region in Ethiopia and is working with The Carter Foundation. The charity is also in talks with the Carter Foundation to restart their River Blindness elimination program in Uganda.

‘Sustaining Identity’ is a self-portrait of the artist and her son. “Motherhood is a major transition in a person’s life. A person never knows how much they can be attached and protective about another human being until they enter parenthood... It’s a start to a never ending story of love, friendship and understanding. May the bond never be broken insha’Alla,” writes Lateefa.

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