MORE than 60 artists have donated a range of artworks for a silent auction in aid of stricken families in Gaza.
The auction is billed as a rare opportunity to buy a number of “stunning” works of art including paintings, prints, ceramics and sculptures.
Also on offer are a selection of artists’ books and zines and a host of online workshops, including poetry, project development and short film-making.
Organiser Crystal Bennes, an artist, writer and researcher, said every penny raised would provide much-needed support to families in Gaza and local solidarity organisation The Sameer Project, which is currently active on the ground there.
She said: “After more than a year of the current genocide, it is so crucial that financial support is sent directly to families and smaller organisations in Gaza.
“Artists For Gaza is helping to raise much-needed funds for families as well as The Sameer Project, a grassroots organisation led by Palestinians in the diaspora.”
The silent auction takes place this afternoon at the Embassy Gallery in Edinburgh.
Artist Paul Scott has contributed a plate from his Palestine series which will be offered as a raffle prize. A sister piece from this series is held by the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
Tickets can be bought at the auction or by donating £5 directly to a fundraising campaign for the Matar family on Chuffed.org and sending Bennes a screenshot of the payment.
“The work is a transfer print collage on an Adams Palestine dessert plate dating from around 1840,” said Bennes. “I have been an admirer of Paul’s work for many years and it is such a pleasure and privilege to be able to offer this piece for our fundraiser. Please ensure you pay in pounds and not euros.”
She added: “I’ve been touched and overwhelmed by the generosity of the more than 60 artists from around the UK and Europe who have contributed incredible works to the auction, and to Embassy who have been stalwart supporters of Palestinian solidarity groups in Edinburgh.”
The artists involved include Miriam Ali, William Arnold, Annie Cattrell, Joanne Coates, Andrew Cranston, Berta de la Rosa, Haneen Hadiy, Laura Harrington, Lorna Macintyre, Martha Orbach, Liz Orton, Paul Scott, Lam Tou and Rosie’s Disobedient Press.
The auction takes place at the Embassy Gallery in Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, from noon to 5pm.
You can find the fundraiser at chuffed.org/project/ 113161-help-suhail-and-his-family-survive-the-war-on-gaza
