The Art of Online Support
A unique online exhibition and auction launched today will raise vital funds for breast cancer support during the Covid-19 pandemic, with donations of work from renowned artists and photographers including Chantal Joffe, David Yarrow and Rankin.
Leading breast cancer charity Future Dreams today announced the launch of a unique online Art Auction sponsored by Sky Arts, TK International and The Arts Club Mayfair to raise vital funds to support those affected by breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charity, started in 2008 by mother and daughter Sylvie Henry and Danielle Leslie, has raised an incredible £6.5m over the last 12 years and is set to open the largest breast cancer support centre in King Cross, London in Spring/Summer 2021 partnering with Breast Cancer Haven.
Future Dreams will present the work, which has been donated by 23 renowned artists, ahead of the auction to a global audience of collectors, investors and art lovers in a virtual exhibition curated by Pernilla Holmes and Amelie Von Wedel of The Arts Club Mayfair.
The exhibition will be produced in collaboration with Moyosa media, experts in state-of-the-art virtual gallery spaces and the creators of The Kremer Collection, a virtual museum designed to display Old Master paintings. It will provide an opportunity for audiences from around the world to immerse themselves in a beautifully designed contemporary gallery space, enjoying pieces from artists, photographers and sculptors that include Clive Arrowsmith, David Yarrow, Adébeyo Bolaji, Chantal Joffe, Viv Lee, Gideon Rubin and Rankin.
Photographer and donor Simon Emmett, was keen to take up the chance to help support the cause, having also had personal experience with the disease in his family. “I’m supporting this special project as I have experienced first-hand the effects of both a primary and secondary breast cancer diagnosis on immediate family. Therefore, I’m aware of the advances in medicine helping to treat it and the incredible work charities like Future Dreams do to help”.
Painter Gideon Rubin, a contemporary artist whose work explores themes of childhood, family and memory also noted that, “as a husband and the father to three beautiful girls, the cause of Future Dreams is naturally close to my heart and helping the charity through the current crisis becomes our obligation”.
The exhibition also includes two contestants from Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year: Raoof Haghigi and Tina Willis-Jones, both of which have donated a work of art to the auction, as well as offering the opportunity to bid for a portrait session with the artists themselves.
Prospective buyers and art lovers will be able to visit the virtual gallery on the Art Collective website from 10am on 23 November until 7pm on 30 November before the auction. The event itself will be hosted by the Auction Collective and live-streamed, with the capability to take absentee bids as well as phone bids.
Money raised will provide essential support for those facing diagnosis in a cancer crisis that has been severely interrupted by Covid-19.