Elisa Sednaoui Dellal and Princess Alia Al-Senussi. Courtesy Sotheby’s
Social entrepreneur and Vogue Arabia cover star Elisa Sednaoui Dellal has joined forces with Princess Alia Al-Senussi PHD to guest curate the upcoming Contemporary sale of Sotheby’s on November 19th in London. An exceptional highlight, a portion of works collected for the auction have been donated by artists like Youssef Nabil and Francesco Clemente, and owners alike to benefit the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation (ESF). “Funtasia” is the first project implemented by the foundation.
In a conversation with Sotheby’s head of sale Ashkan Baghestani , the ladies recall how they met after being “set up” by Sednaoui Dellal’s husband. The women felt a kindred spirit between them and quickly decided to join forces. Princess Al-Senussi recalls how she visited Funtasia at its birthplace in Luxor. “Experiencing the community built by Funtasia first-hand was magical. It changed my life in one afternoon, and I can only imagine what it does for the countless children that are there every week.” The academic and patron Al-Senussi PHD sits on the board of the ESF. She nurtures a special focus on young patronage and culture within the Middle East.
Princess Alia Al-Senussi. Courtesy Sotheby’s
The Elisa Sednaoui Foundation’s mission is to promote the personal and educational development of young people. This is achieved through curriculum that fosters hands-on creative learning experiences that embrace innovation while celebrating rich traditions and cultural heritage.” The team works to improve the quality of teaching and learning both inside and outside classrooms. Funtasia creates grassroots programs for children and youth empowerment to help foster compassionate innovators. Today it operates in more than 15 different locations inclusive of public schools in Italy and Egypt. Funtasia has supported over 5,920 children and youth and trained more than 700 adults in both countries.
Read: Anna Morra Sednaoui interviews her daughter Elisa Sednaoui Dellal
Elisa Sednaoui Dellal. Courtesy Sotheby’s
Sednaoui Dellal underscores how the Sotheby’s commitment to the Funtasia project and social responsibility in particular has created an opportunity to highlight how art impacts academic and socio-emotional education around the world. The funds raised will serve to uphold this. Take a closer look at the artworks being donated by their respective artists and owners to benefit Funtasia in the gallery below and don’t forget to register to bid. A (sold-out) panel discussion by the guest curators focusing on the importance of art in teaching resilience at Sotheby’s London, is on November 15. The exhibition is free and open to all from November 15-18 ahead of the auction on November 19. Click here to register to bid.
YOUSSEF NABIL Faten Hammama, Cairo. Hand-colored gelatin silver print 26 by 38 cm. 2008. Work 2 from an edition of 10. Donated by the artist. US$8,800-10,000.
NAN GOLDIN. My White Birds, Sag Harbor, N.Y. Signed, titled, dated 2001. 65,5 by 97cm. 2001. This work is an artist’s proof. Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner. US$2,500-3,750
NARIMAN FARROKHI. Untitled. Signed and dated 2015 on one work oil and spray paint on paper, in 8 parts each. 33 by 25 cm. Overall 50 by 128cm. Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner. US$3,750 -5,000
BASIM MAGDY. Royalties Come to our Festivals with Their Pet Spiders. Spray paint, gouache, and black shoe polish on paper. 30 by 40 cm. 2007. Donated by the artist. US$12,500-18,700
FRANCESCO CLEMENTE Seed. Inkjet print on paper. 57.8 by 45.7. 2009. This work is number 7 from an edition of 51. Donated by the artist US$2,500-3,750
HANY RASHED. Untitled. Each: signed in Arabic and dated 2007. Acrylic and paper collage on cardboard, in 4 parts. Each 45 by 45 cm. Mashrabia gallery, Cairo. Acquired from the above by the present owner. US$2,500-3,750
ROKNI HAERIZADEH. Love in the Cage. Signed and dated 2006, in Farsi. Acryclic on canvas. 146.5 by 198cm. Isabelle VAN DEN Eynde, Dubai. Acquired from the above by the present owner. US$10,000-15,000
ABDULNASSER GHAREM. Detour. Lightbox 70 by 105. Executed in 2009, this work is from an edition of 8. A gift from the artist to the present owner. US$8,800-11,300
NEVINE BOUEZ. Amour. Painted ceramics, in two parts. 22 by 24 cm and 38 by 34 cm. 2019. Donated by the artist. US$3,750 – 5,000
