Noor Dubai Foundation raises AED 14.7 million through Art4Sight charity exhibition and auction

·Thirty-four artists contributed their works to raise funds for blindness treatment, prevention and education.
·Sheikha Lateefa Bint Maktoum’s artwork titled ‘Sustaining Identity’ was sold for AED 14 million dirhams, setting a record for the most expensive Emirati artwork sold at a charity auction.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, April 29, 2015: Art4Sight, an annual art exhibition and auction, organized by Noor Dubai Charity Foundation raised AED 14.7 million to fund blindness treatment, prevention and education programs globally.
Thirty-four local, Arab and international artists donated 44 pieces of their artwork which helped raise the funds.
Sheikha Lateefa Bint Maktoum’s artwork titled ‘Sustaining Identity’ was sold for AED 14 million dirhams, setting a record for the most expensive Emirati artwork sold at a charity auction.
The exhibition was supported by Zabeel Ladies Club and Tashkeel Studio and the auction was managed by Christie’s International.

Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation said: “We are thankful to all the artists, art galleries and auction houses for their support and encouragement. 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. Our programs 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.

Dr Taryam said that a discussion took place on the same day of the exhibition and was held under the title, “UAE non-profit serving communities.” HH Sheikh Sultan bin Saud Al Qassimi, founder and chairman of Barjeel Securities and managing director of Al-Saud Co took part in the discussion.

Participating artists included Najat Makki, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Houmam Al Sayed, Riyadh Neama, Manal Al Dowayan among others.

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.