Auction to raise funds for Japanese Tsunami Survivors
A painting entitled "Kyōtsū - HACHI" was put on auction by the High Commission of Maldives in London, yesterday at a function held at the High Commission. Hon. David Amess MP, Chairman of the All Party British-Maldives Parliamentary Group unveiled the painting at the function.
Speaking after the unveiling of the painting, Maldivian High Commissioner to London, Dr. Farahnaz Faisal, expressed hope that the painting would generate a significant amount that would be presented to the Japanese Embassy in London, on behalf of the Maldivian Government.
The painting by Maldivian artist Mr. Naushad Waheed, was put on bid to raise funds to support the survivors of the Japanese Tsunami, and depicts several common elements from the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 and the recent tsunami that devastated the East Coast of Japan.
“The title of the painting derives from the total sum of the numeric dates of the two tsunamis. It is quite interesting that both these tragedies occurred on a date that sums up to eight, and I felt it important to express the similarities found in these events through this painting” said Mr. Naushad.
The unveiling of the painting was attended by a group of MPs and Peers, and a bid of £5000 has already been received, with 100% of the proceeds going to Japanese Tsunami survivors. The auction will continue until the 15th of April 2011, and the High Commission in London is coordinating the bidding process.