Celebrity art auction in Dubai raises nearly $10m for Ramadan meals campaign

Buyers bid for works by Picasso and Nelson Mandela among others

Artist Sacha Jafri talks about his his work, ahead of an art auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson for Dubai Culture attended the art auction to raised money for the 100 Million Meals campaign. Source, WAM

All funds go towards a drive to feed people in 30 countries this Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

Attendees check lots on display ahead of an auction at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai on Saturday. Pictured is an image of a rare piece of cloth owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid that once covered the Kaaba in Makkah. Antonie Robertson / The National

Attendees check the artworks before auction at the 100 Million Meals charity auction. Antonie Robertson / The National

Works of art on display ahead of the auction. Antonie Robertson / The National

Pictured is a canvas by British artist Sacha Jafri. It later sold for $4.2 million to an anonymous bidder. Antonie Robertson / The National

Works of art on display ahead of the auction. Antonie Robertson / The National

Artist Sacha Jafri with auctioneer Jonny Gould at an art auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Artist Sacha Jafri and Amir Khan place a finishing hand print on one of Jafri's art works during the auction. The auction raised nearly $10m for the 100 Million Meals campaign. Antonie Robertson / The National

Artist Sacha Jafri and Amir Khan place a finishing hand print on one of Jafri's art works during the auction. The auction raised nearly $10m for the 100 Million Meals campaign. Antonie Robertson / The National

Tennis player Boris Becker, boxer Amir Khan and Marjorie Harvey place a finishing hand print on one of Sacha Jafri's art works during an art auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Tennis player Boris Becker places a finishing hand print on one of Sacha Jafri's art works during an art auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Tennis player Boris Becker shows off his red hand after placing a finishing hand print on one of Sacha Jafri's art works during an auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Marjorie Harvey shows off her palm after placing a finishing hand print on one of Sacha Jafri's art works during an auction to raise money for the 100 Million Meals campaign in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Art works for sale at the 100 Million Meals charity auction at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Salvador Dali art work for sale at the 100 Million Meals charity auction at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Nelson Mandela art work for sale at the 100 Million Meals charity auction at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Nearly $10 million (Dh36.6m) was pledged to the UAE's 100 million meals campaign at an auction in Dubai on Saturday night.

Rare artworks by Nelson Mandela, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró and David Hockney were up for bidding.

Three donated works by record-breaking artist Sacha Jafri were also listed.

Among the works that attracted the highest bids was a rare piece of Kiswa, the cloth used to cover the Kaaba in Makkah, embroidered in gold and silver, donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

The cloth sold for $2.7 million to an anonymous phone bidder.

A colourful canvas by British artist Sacha Jafri sold for $4.2 million, also to an anonymous bidder by phone.

Last month, a huge canvas the size of a ballroom that was painted by Jafri went for a record-breaking $62 million. The clothes he wore while painting the artwork sold for $450,000.

Several of Jafri's works featured the painted hand prints of celebrities, and tennis player Boris Becker, boxer Amir Khan and Majorie Harvey, the wife of Steve Harvey, the US TV presenter added their marks on the night.

Hollywood star Will Smith, who was expected to attend, sent a recorded message apologising for his absence, which was due to an unexpected illness brought on by extreme dieting for an acting role.

Attending the auction were Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson for Dubai Culture, Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, AI and Remote Working Systems and Florian Picasso, the great grandson of the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.

Mona Kattan, the sister of beauty mogul Huda, bought two pieces for more than $100,000 each.

Funds raised will go towards providing food aid for people in need across 30 countries.

Sheikh Mohammed unveiled plans for a Ramadan campaign to supply 100 million meals to people in 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Thanks to the generosity of the public, businesses, government departments and philanthropists, the 100 million target was hit within just 10 days on Thursday.

But the drive continues to ensure people in many countries battered by the pandemic do not go hungry.

100 Million Meals campaign - in pictures 

The UAE has funded more than 100 million free meals in 20 countries across the region during Ramadan. Pictured are youngsters in Egypt. All photos by Wam

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, organiser of the campaign, has tied up with international and local partners in each of the beneficiary countries to deliver the food parcels

Cash vouchers are being given to low-income communities in Palestine and in refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh

Staples such as rice, oil, beans, beans and flour are included in the food parcels, which is sufficient to prepare between 240 and 300 meals throughout Ramadan

Children smile for the camera after receiving a food packet.

Low-income families, refugees, orphans and widows in Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan have started receiving food boxes.

A worker gives a food box to a lady

Food boxes being unloaded from a truck

Workers packing food boxes to be delivered to the needy during Ramadan