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Freedom From Torture, Art Auction in London's Wapping


Terrorism, regimes and rebel fighters and war make torture stories in this day and age mainstream media news. But the truth is of course people have been tortured and persecuted for their beliefs for centuries.

One organisation FREEDOM FROM TORTURE refuses to deny the problem and instead help those affected held an Art Auction this month, curated by Christies.
Right- Malin by Johan Anderson. Center-Untitled (JUG) Bruce Williams.Left- The second Letter- Robert Mason.


 Edmund de Waal, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Michael Craig-Martin, Antony Gormley, Julian Opie, Cornelia Parker, Paula Rego and Lisa Ruyter donated pieces for auction to support Freedom from Torture’s work with survivors of torture who have fled tyrannical regimes around the world.
Mayfair's Alan Cristea Gallery the largest publisher of contemporary editions and prints, also donated works by Sir Peter Blake, David Hockney and John Hoyland to be auctioned.
The auction was silent and a bidding one. 



Just scribble in your bidder number and your amount!
Attendees were treated to wine, beer and beautifully made canapes. While perusing the silent aution to start the bidding. Bustling atmosphere in the relatively small gallery space, made for conections with the actual artists and many of those working for Freedom from torture.
Some of the art was so happy and colourful, the hills of Italy in Positano love that one, or the vibrant streets of NYC.
Dan Schlesinger- Positano
Lisa Milroy- New York Street J, this went for a very pretty penny.

Circumcision- Paula Rego
But some of the art reflected some of the more sombre reasons we were there. 
Circumcision by Paula Rego was one of the most graphic pictures of female genital mutilation, holding down a girl with her legs open in the foreground and a younger child getting prepared for the same in the background.
 Political Art also had a place in this auction, with a tank painted on Porcelain facing a protestor on Tianimen Square and the (Beijing) olympic rings to the side, cynically named 'almost free china'. This is a piece I wish I could have bid on, but alas the bid went over thousands of pounds, bit too big for my budget!
Jonathan Boast- 90% off porcelain AKA Almost Free China
  
The atmosphere was full of fun and excitement as bidding began in the live auction!
Hugh Edmeades from Christies has plenty of charm and charisma kicking it off right away.
Encouraging bidders by flying off stage to sit next to them for a moment or two, exclaiming that it was 'only money' we were all in laughter, but his charm did its magic and bids were elicted !
Potential bidders checking out the Art for the silent auction.
In the end the charity raised  £92,000 in art sales and donations, all of which will go directly to their work with survivors of torture and organised violence. Read more here.
Auction in full swing.

If you want to see some artworks made by survivors of torture seeking asylum and refuge in the UK from all around the world, they gather together once a week in the Open Art Studio at Freedom from Torture to make art, be social and support each other.
The exhibition is called ‘ Thirty Six Pounds‘ and will run from 12-23 December 2013 at 13 The Gallery.
 To find out more about Freedom From torture, you can see ‘Marie was tortured for her beliefs’ Watch their TV advert
The Mission of Freedom of Torture
Freedom from Torture is a human rights organisation that exists to enable survivors of torture and organised violence to engage in a healing process to assert their own human dignity and worth. Our concern for the health and well-being of torture survivors and their families is directed towards providing medical consultation, forensic documentation of torture, and psychological & physical therapies. It is also our mission to raise public awareness about torture and its consequences.

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  1. Unknown16 December 2013 at 21:41

    It is certainly impossible to forget about David Hockney, a renowned Artist from British, known for his great work that include colorful painting of various outdoor scenes.

    Offer Waterman & Co.

    ReplyDelete

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