MAKE-A-WISH® UK PRESENTS 'THE ART OF WISHES' ART PREVIEW AT PHILLIPS
Above: Joana Vasconcelos, Spinoza, 2019. Cover: Alex Prager, Ian (after Philip Lorca diCorcia), 2016
On the 1 October 2019, children’s charity Make-A-Wish® UK, will present ‘The Art of Wishes’ Gala, founded by renowned philanthropist and Make-A-Wish® UK Patron, Batia Ofer. The event will take place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, hosted by Make-A-Wish® UK supporter David Walliams OBE. This year’s Gala hopes to surpass the success of the inaugural 2017 event, which raised a phenomenal £2.8million for the life-changing charity. In advance of the Gala, a showcase preview of the artworks will be open to the public at Phillips flagship gallery space on Berkeley Square from 19-20 September.
Richard Wright, 60.5 x 85 cm, Untitled (Figure 4), 2002
David Walliams comments: “I am honoured to host The Art of Wishes Gala once again. As a Make-A-Wish® UK supporter, I have witnessed the truly unique and wonderful work the charity does in granting life-changing wishes to children that experience an increased amount of hardship and difficulty. As host of the inaugural Gala in 2017, I witnessed the outstanding contributions from guests during the charity auction, which generates crucial funds for the charity, and I look forward to hosting another successful event this year.”
‘The Art of Wishes’ Gala raises and provides key funding for this independent charity. Proceeds from the 2017 Gala played a vital role in enabling Make-A-Wish® UK to grant over 1,000 children’s wishes in 2018, the largest number in a single year to date. Wishes enrich the lives of children and young people with critical illnesses, offering a moment of joy and control to the child and their family during a period that is often defined by hardship and difficulties.
Richard Wright, 54.5 x 77 cm, Untitled (Figure 3), 2002
Batia Ofer, Make-A-Wish® UK Patron and Founder of ‘The Art of Wishes’, comments: “Make-A-Wish Foundation® has been a part of my life for over a decade. I am thrilled that the art world and artistic community have pulled together in such diverse and meaningful ways in order to show support for the great work this charity does through ‘The Art of Wishes’ Gala and the generous collaboration with Phillips for this Preview.”
‘The Art of Wishes’ Gala will welcome over 450 high-profile guests to experience an extraordinary evening, including a champagne reception, an exquisite three-course dinner, world-class entertainment and a unique charity art auction, with all proceeds helping to fund crucial work for Make-A-Wish®.
The charity auction will feature more than 20 new and recent artworks by some of the world’s leading international artists, including Virgil Abloh x Takashi Murakami, Harold Ancart, Jennifer Bartlett, Michael Craig-Martin, Ida Ekblad, Mandy El-Sayegh, Ian Kiaer, Donald Moffett, Annie Morris, Suzy Murphy, Stuart Pearson Wright, Alex Prager, James Turrell, Joana Vasconcelos, Ai Weiwei and Richard Wright. The unique works connect to and are inspired by children’s One True Wishes and have been donated to support the vital work of Make-A-Wish® UK.
