UNICEF Syria Art Auction

© UNICEF/Schermbrucker

Thank you for being part of the SyriART auction and event. Your participation will help to save and change the lives of Syrian children.

What is SyriART?

In October 2014, UNICEF will auction specially donated work by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists to raise vital funds to deliver life-saving aid to the children of Syria.

From 4 October, artworks will be sold via online auctioneers Paddle8. Selected artworks will be included in the Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Auction on the evening of 17 October. There is also an exclusive SyriART event at the Serpentine Pavilion, planned for 16 October.

Which artists are already on board?

We have more than 30 artists already engaged, including: Antony Gormley, Olafur Eliasson, Richard Long, Mona Hatoum, Grayson Perry, Gavin Turk, Cornelia Parker, Julian Opie and Juergen Teller.

Who is providing UNICEF with art expertise?

We are working closely with the teams at Sotheby’s and Paddle8. In addition, we are receiving support from auctioneer Simon de Pury. and the White Cube We are also seeking advice to engage artists from Syria and the surrounding region.

Benedicte Vene 020 7375 6087 benedictev@unicef.org.uk

www.unicef.org.uk

Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England & Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)

Why art and Syria?

The Syrian conflict entered its fourth year in March 2014. With a staggering six million children now suffering as a result, we urgently need creative solutions. We are seeking to mobilise the extraordinary wealth of artistic creativity in the UK to help save and change Syrian children’s lives and keep the desperate plight of Syrian children firmly on the agenda.

UNICEF is already using art to help the Children attend an art therapy session at a refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. © UNICEF/Vene children of Syria to overcome the trauma of conflict – art as therapy plays a crucial part in the UNICEF programme, enabling children to express themselves and come to terms with loss, displacement and other horrors of war.

The children of Syria now

Many thousands of children have been killed, orphaned or suffered life-changing injuries. They have lost everything – family, friends, homes and schools. With the breakdown of basic support networks, these children are at grave risk of violence, abuse and exploitation.

The Syrian crisis is UNICEF’s largest-ever humanitarian operation. An entire generation of Syrian children is in grave danger. Unless we act now, they may be lost forever. We need the help of artists to raise funds and awareness to prevent this from becoming Syria’s lost generation.

Why UNICEF?

UNICEF is there whenever and wherever children are in danger, responding rapidly with lifesaving assistance and protection.

UNICEF is one of the few international children’s organisations with a permanent presence in Syria itself. UNICEF is providing children in Syria and refugee children in the five neighbouring countries – Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt – with clothes, blankets, shelter, medicine, food, water, psychological support and education.

We have incredibly courageous staff working around the clock. Here are some of our achievements for Syrian children in 2013.

safe drinking water for 10.3 million people 2.5 million children vaccinated against measles 2 million children back into education psychological support for 950,000 children

The key dates

21 July: Artwork ready to be photographed 4–17 October: Paddle8 online auction 8–9 October: Collection and transport to Sotheby’s 12–17 October: Exhibition of selected work at Sotheby’s 16 October: Held for SyriART event at the Serpentine Pavilion 17 October, evening: Sotheby’s Contemporary Art auction

How much will SyriART raise?

The Zaatari refugee camp is now the fourth largest population centre in Jordan.

We hope to raise £1 million for the children of Syria. So far, UNICEF globally has only been able to raise 12% of what we need to help children affected by the conflict in Syria and the surrounding region.

How will the money raised help Syrian children?

The money raised from SyriART will go directly to help the children of Syria. It will help UNICEF provide life-saving food, clean water, medicine, education and protection for Syrian children. A key element of UNICEF’s response is to provide psychological and social support for traumatised children, often uisng the medium of art. In addition, the region experiences bitterly cold winters and the money will help protect children in refugee camps over the winter months.

How will the auction and the artworks be promoted?

UNICEF will reach out to all appropriate media outlets and work closely with both Sotheby’s and Paddle8 on shared communications plans. We expect the Serpentine Pavilion event to attract widespread media coverage.

We will keep you informed as media and PR plans develop. In the meantime, our project manager will be in touch to note your preferences in liaising with the media and your availability for possible interviews.

UNICEF will produce a catalogue of all donated work to be sent to our corporate partners, leading philanthropists, high-profile supporters and the collectors recommended by artists, galleries and auction houses.

Children take part in an art therapy session at a refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. © UNICEF/Vene

Save the date

We are currently holding 16 October for an exclusive evening event at the Serpentine Pavilion for contributing artists and supporters of SyriART. Taking place during the Frieze Art Fair, this will be an exciting event in the art world calendar.

When does the artwork need to be ready?

We would like to collect the work as close to the auction date as possible. However, we will need photographs for the catalogue, promotion and marketing materials, and for the online auction by 21 July.

What else can I do to help?

We would love you to reach out to other artists and contacts and get them involved in SyriART. We need to mobilise as many artists as possible if we are to fulfil our goal to reach every child affected by this conflict. Please visit unicef.org.uk/syria to find out more about our work and how you can help.

What do I need to do to confirm my donation?

A donation form is included with this information pack. We ask that the artist or a representative from their studio completes the form, detailing the nature of the donation, and returns it using the stamped envelope in this pack to the following address or email before 1 June: Benedicte Vene 30 Great Sutton St, London EC1V 0DU benedictev@unicef.org.uk We are happy to meet with you face to face to discuss SyriART at any time.

Thank you so much for your generosity and compassion for the children of Syria.

Drawing by a child at a refugee camp in Lebanon thanking UNICEF for their help

Benedicte Vene 020 7375 6087 benedictev@unicef.org.uk