Art brings Rs.40 mn relief to Bihar flood victims

New Delhi, Nov 15 Art has brought Rs.40 million for flood victims of Bihar. Thirty-one leading contemporary artists brought together by Subodh Gupta and Bharati Kher have raised more than Rs.39.3 million through the Artists’ Flood Relief Charity Auction held Nov 11-12 by Saffronart.

The proceeds from the charity auction will benefit two NGOs, Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendra (SSVK) and Goonj to support their flood relief work, a press statement issued by Saffronart said.

The top lots sold at the charity auction include an untitled painting by Gupta, which fetched more than Rs.17 million and a work by Bharti Kher titled “This Way and Never Another Way” that raked in more than Rs.845,000.

Ranbir Kaleka’s “Man with Torch” sold for over Rs.3.5 million, Riyas Komu’s Uttara-II capped at over Rs.1.7 million while Thukral and Tagra’s Somnium Genero-Canor 4,5,6 sold at RS 1.25 million.

“It was heartening to see people from across the world bidding online to support a human cause. We are privileged to have contributed to help flood victims,” artist Subodh Gupta, born in the Khagaul district of Bihar, said. The Gurgaon-based Trident Hotel and Nature Morte Gallery in Delhi partnered the auction.

In August-September 2008, the Kosi river flooded hundreds of villages in Bihar and left millions of people homeless.