Noor Dubai Foundation, an international charitable NGO active in the field of blindness prevention, is set to host Art4Sight, an annual charity art event in Dubai this month.

The art event which makes a comeback will be held from April 22 to 23 at The Ara Gallery located in The Centre of Now, Downtown Dubai.

According to organisers, the donated artwork will be exhibited at the event and later sold in a fundraising auction to support Noor Dubai's global programs. The event also coincides with The Ara Gallery’s 1-year anniversary.

With overwhelming support from local and international artists, local art galleries and renowned art auction houses, this year's Art4Sight promises to be an even more impressive experience for art lovers.

The exhibition will take place on April 22 at The Ara Gallery from 10am-9pm and April 23 from 10am-7:30pm. The charity art auction, which will be lead by Christie’s auction house, will take place on April 23 from 7:30pm.

The charity event was inspired by 12 year old Fatoumata from Mali who regained her sight following eye surgery performed by the Noor Dubai team. The young girl was fascinated by the contrast of colors around her and amazed the team by painting while still in the recovery stage.

Among the highlights of this year’s show of Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art is artwork created by Abdulqader Al Rais, an Emirati artist whose work is exhibited all over the world, from private collections in the Middle East to Museums in Europe and China.

'We are very proud of the art pieces donated this year. Thanks to prominent artists in the region we have managed to collect a great selection that will attract art collectors and philanthropists looking to support the prevention of blindness programs in countries of need' said Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation.

Further enhancing this year’s auction is the attendance of the phenomenal blind artist Esref Armagan. The inability to see has not hindered this Turkish artist from his goal of painting beautiful works of art which have been featured on international documentaries including the Discovery Channel’s “The Real Superhumans”.

Three of his works will be put up for auction including the “Waves”, painted in 2008, which depicts the energy and movement of the ocean, concepts which were thought to be impossible to portray by a blind person.

'Esref may have been born blind but his ability to paint beautiful art pieces, many of which are currently exhibited in international museums, has amazed scientists and led to them to re-evaluate the visual pathway that they believed existed and taught in medical schools for years,' said Taryam.

Art4Sight has also touched the local artistic community. In a fantastic show of solidarity, renowned female Emirati artist Najat Makki created the “Amel” series specifically for Noor Dubai’s event.

The series, whose name translates to “Hope” in Arabic, is a unique collection of oil on canvas pieces representing Makki’s interpretation and understanding of the importance of sight.

Established in 2010 by a decree from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler, Noor Dubai works towards a world free of blindness.

Noor Dubai provides therapeutic, preventive and educational programs to developing countries on a regional and international scale.-TradeArabia News Service