Fifteen paintings made by children showing their innermost desires and 18 pieces contributed by local artists were up for auction in aid of the Raphael Centre on Tuesday 26 November.
Fifteen paintings made by children showing their innermost desires and 18 pieces contributed by local artists were up for auction in aid of the Raphael Centre on Tuesday 26 November.
“We are very happy with the auction, we raised over R5 000 and sold most of the artworks on display,” said Anne Loeffler, the Raphael Centre’s programme developer.
Held at the Eastern Star Gallery, the Ingapakathi art auction included items created by some of the 85 orphans and children affected by HIV and Aids who go to the Centre.
Ingapakathi, meaning ‘my inner world’, was the main theme of a two-month workshop that the children, aged between 7 and 10, attended at the Johan Carinus Art Centre.
It was part of a broader life skills programme to help the children develop to their full potential. Expressing their most heartfelt wishes, one picture reads, “I want to be a paramedic and drive an ambulance. I want to help others, especially people who’ve been hurt or are ill.”
Another one simply says: “I wish for lots of friends who love me.” The workshop was facilitated by teacher Madelize van der Merwe who guided the children during the creative process.
Proceeds from the auction will go towards activities the Centre has planned for next year. These include an environmental day to teach children about protecting the environment, and organising a clean-up of the areas around town with volunteers. They will then produce artworks from the recycled material, which the Centre plans to show during the National Arts Festival.
The Ingapakathi auction was organised by the Grahamstown Goodwill Gang, a local group that assists charities and NGOs with fundraising.
Also supporting the cause was local band Words Untame who played at the event. The Raphael Centre provides care and support for people affected by or with HIV and Aids, which was recently recognised by the national Department of Health as a Best Practice.
