Artworks to spread gift of sight
Noor Dubai Foundation holds exhibition and auction to raise funds to prevent blindness
More than 23 million people have benefited worldwide from Noor Dubai Foundation’s programme of restoring eyesight to those in need.
Noor Dubai Foundation is headed by the Chairman of the Foundation, Eisa Al Maidour, who is also Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.
The foundation is a UAEbased charity focused on providing people globally with the necessary treatment and tools to prevent blindness or any visual impairments.
Launched in 2008 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the foundation has impacted the lives of people in various countries.
The foundation held its fifth edition of the Art4Sight Exhibition and Auction at the Zabeel Ladies Club. In the event, artists from around the world displayed their work that was auctioned later in the day with the proceeds going to the charity.
Shurooq Al Banna, from the Marketing Communication Department at the Foundation, said that 34 artists participated in the exhibition, with the youngest exhibitor being 17 years old.
“The prominent theme in the artworks exhibited today is love in all its forms,” said Shurooq, “the word ‘love’ is written in calligraphy or even a picture that portrays a mother’s love for her child.”
She also added that after the auction, the money will go towards the mobile eye camps that aim at reaching a target of 5,000 people in a week’s time in every country visited. Through these visits, the mobile eye camps will offer free eye surgeries, eyedrops, medicine and glasses.
Noor Shamma, a part-time Emirati artist, said, “As an artist it is always difficult to let go of your artwork and even though the painting I donated is one of my favourites, it feels right to give it away for a good cause.”
Maria Botros is a trainee at Gulf News.