Art auction aims to aid cancer patients

A display of graphic arts at the Swasthi Contemporary Art Gallery

By Deepashri Varadharajan

BANGALORE (Nov. 30)—In an exclusive art exhibition to be held at the Taj West End  hotel on Dec. 10, organized by Health Care Global Foundation, biomedical industry giants including General Electrics, Siemens and Dr. Reddy’s will come together to raise funds for cancer patients.

“The event will include a masquerade ball, a sit-down dinner and a silent auction of art works by 10 eminent artists from all over India, including Baroda and Shantiniketan,” said Anjali Ajaikumar, director of HCG Foundation.

“We may also have a live band performing,” added Anjali. “Hopefully we’ll raise enough funds for the year.”

Bangalore-based Swasti Contemporary Art Gallery is a fundraising initiative started by HCG Foundation in 2006 to give financial assistance to cancer patients who need it.

Currently, the gallery is showcasing 60 graphic prints by 30 eminent artists including JMS Mani, three-time winner of the prestigious Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy award.

“It is very helpful for promoting young artists and it is a great social work,” Mani said.

HCG organized an art camp in Mysore from Nov. 6 to 11. The work done by artists like Umesh Unni, Birendra Pani and Suchendra Pingli in that week will be showcased and auctioned at the Taj and unsold work added to the gallery collection.

The director of the art gallery, Bhagya Ajaikumar, is a patron of arts and has a master’s in fine arts from The Art Institute of Chicago.

Many artists who showcase their works also donate to the foundation.