Beirut is often known as “the Paris of the Middle East”, yet after the recent tragic explosion, much of the city’s landscape, both cultural and architectural, has been devastated. To show solidarity with the city and offer support, a series of charitable initiatives have been instigated by individuals and institutions alike.
Here, we’ve rounded up five art-focused fundraising projects you can support to help get the city back on its feet.
For The Love of Beirut
Organised by Gulf Photo Plus in partnership with Beirut Centre of Photography, For The Love of Beirut brings together over 60 visual artists from Lebanon, the Middle East and the international community in a bid to raise money for communities affected by the blast.
Printed on archival fine art paper, each print celebrates a love and appreciation for Beirut and its residents. Proceeds go to the Lebanese Red Cross, but the sale ends on 26th August, so buy your prints now to show your support and help the cause.
Prints from the For The Love of Beirut sale are available to buy now; gulfphotoplus.com
Art Relief for Beirut
This Instagram-led initiative encourages artists to donate works, which are then sold off to raise money for Impact Lebanon and the Lebanese Red Cross – two relief organisations working to help Beirut overcome the current humanitarian crisis caused by the explosion.
In just five days, Art Relief for Beirut had already raised almost $100,000 thanks to the help of artists from around the world, including the four joint 2019 Turner Prize winners Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo and Tai Shani.
Visit Art Relief For Beirut’s Instagram account to purchase art now; @artrelief4beirut
Raphaelle Macaron
Born and raised in Beirut, local artist Raphaelle Macaron has collaborated with Studio Fidèle to raise money for Impact Lebanon, a non-profit which works with local NGOs to provide urgent financial support to local communities.
To raise these funds, Raphaelle is selling 12 vibrantly coloured risograph prints, each of which captures the people and places of the artist’s native Lebanon. What’s more, each print comes signed with the mention “Raphaelle Macaron x Studio Fidèle – Beirut Relief Fund” to commemorate your purchase.
Although orders are currently delayed, you can purchase a print here; kisskissbankbank.com
Art Queer Habibi
The disastrous explosion on 4th August caused over 300,000 people in Beirut to become homeless, but it hit the city’s already vulnerable transgender and non-binary communities especially hard. Thankfully, the art world responded in order to help those in need.
In order to help raise funds, 100% of the money earned from Lebanese artist Art Queer Habibi’s Pop Art-inspired postcards and posters will be donated to both Impact Lebanon and relief funds for LGBTQ+ communities in Lebanon. Order now to make a difference.
Order postcards from Art Queer Habibi here; redbubble.com
Christie's’ We Are All Beirut auction
Taking place online between late October and the first half of November, this auction organised by Christie’s Dubai and London is all about supporting the art and cultural communities in the wake of the explosion.
We Are All Beirut will include around 50 lots comprising global and regional art, design, jewellery and watches. The proceeds from this auction will go specifically towards rebuilding Beirut’s cultural scene, including the city’s historic Sursock Museum – a modern and contemporary art museum which suffered extensive damage as a result of the blast.
Information on the auction will be available closer to the time online; christies.com
