Start charity to benefit from Bonhams' next Dubai Auction

An important aspect of this sale will be the collaboration with the charity Start, whose founders are Art Dubai and the UK based Al Madad Foundation, which uses art education to empower the younger generation in disadvantaged areas in the Middle East.

Start activities are geared toward giving children a voice through the universal expression of art by engaging them with their communities, their peers and by teaching them a sense of self-worth. Specifically Start's aim is to use the international language of art to heal, educate and enrich the skills and opportunities for children and young adults in devastated areas of the world. A key part of its approach is directed to developing children through the creative process, providing opportunities for building skills and enhancing life-choices as well as building networks for inter-cultural communication, awareness and understanding.

"Bonhams is dedicated to building platforms to facilitate cultural exchange of works of art between the Middle East and the rest of the world and Start essentially links arts education to social development. We are excited about providing the platform of our next sale to help raise the voice of the Start charity to the art world of the Middle East, and raise funds for the projects Start implements for children all over the globe,"

said Elizabeth Johnston, Client Manager, Dubai, Bonhams.

Bonhams has been increasing its influence in the Middle East Art scene since its landmark auction in Dubai in March 2008. Since then the company's horizons have broadened to included working with local charities and staging events at which its international specialists have advised clients on how to establish and nurture collections ranging from contemporary art to classic cars. The next Dubai sale on October 12th will include works by important Dubai-based artists Halim Al-Karim and Nadine Kanso.

This will be the second time Bonhams has worked with START, following the collaboration in London in June (where the sale of several works of art by Middle Eastern artists generated money for the charity). "We are delighted to be in a position to assist the START charity again. This is especially important to us at this time of year in keeping with the spirit of giving during the holy month of Ramadan," added Johntson.