Dutch Association Dubai
Dutch artists’ work auctioned to raise funds for Dubai Autism Centre
By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, June 25, 2012
DUBAI: The live auction of artworks produced by many UAE-based Dutch artists has raised Dhs43,872 to support Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) in a fundraising event organised by Dutch Association Dubai (DAD).
The evening held at Atlantis-The Palm, Dubai on Thursday witnessed a huge turnout of Dutch expatriates from Dubai and Abu Dhabi who showed their interest in the exhibition of over 70 paintings and various artworks.
The chief guest at the event was Gerard Michels, Ambassador of Kingdom of the Netherlands in UAE and other dignitaries from various walks of life.
Michels appreciated the contribution of Dutch artists based in the UAE and asked the community to take part in the auction to support the children with autism as the centre striving hard to extend facilities to many children with special needs. “Today is the day as each and every one should dig deep in his pockets to support DAC,” he said.
Ingrid Levelt Iseger, a representative of Dutch Association Dubai (DAD) while talking to The Gulf Today said that it was the fourth year they are holding exhibitions and other activities. “In Dubai, approximately 1,500 Dutch are members of our association as the Abu Dhabi association has also a strong representation. The artists whose works were displayed in the day-long exhibition, draw huge attention from art-lovers from many nationalities and made the event successful,” she added.
Iseger said that 20 artists donated each one of their work for auction to raised funds for the Dubai Autism Centre. Besides the paintings and art work by Dutch painters, three collages were also part of the lot auction made by the children from the DAC as well as two dresses donated by a fashion designer and a mirror case by Antique Museum, Dubai.
“Some of the artists are full-time artists as many had been doing painting as hobby and using their creativity to produce remarkable artistic work,” she added.
For the last two years, the DAD organised this event at The Atlantis and donated all the proceedings to Dubai Autism Centre. Last year, the DAD raised around Dhs40,000 through the auction of paintings obtained by the bidders from the Dutch community as well as others. “During the first two years, it was just painting exhibitions and we thought to use this opportunity for a good cause,” she added.
Iseger also lauded the contribution of various firms, Dutch Embassy, Dutch Consulate as well as The Atlantis Hotel for extending their support to make this event successful.
This year, the art work by Bibi Simons raised the highest bid of Dhs3,400 for her work while the live painting artist Ufuk Kobas also attracted many people and her painting of a vintage car was auctioned for Dhs2,300.
Hayula A. Mourad, Business Support and Communication Unit Head at DAC, appreciated the support extended by the Dutch community and shed light on the lives of autistic children facing life-long trauma.
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