DUBAI // A teenager is using art to make a difference and has rallied dozens of like-minded youngsters to raise funds for special-needs centres.
Keenan D’Abreo will organise his third exhibition next month, featuring 250 paintings contributed by 35 young artists.
“The whole cause is so that young people do something that makes a difference,” said Keenan, 16, a Grade 12 commerce student at the Delhi Private School, Dubai.
“It’s part of my campaign, Paint for Change, so we take time out from our studies to help someone. We’ve had all nationalities come together to be part of a change.”
Many of the artists, aged between 13 and 18, took part in Keenan’s Artex exhibitions last year in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
All proceeds go to centres where his friends have volunteered in the past, such as Al Noor Centre for Special Needs in Dubai and the Special Care Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Last year, Keenan art raised Dh8,200 and Dh17,200 in two separate exhibitions.
Raising funds for Senses Residential and Day Care Centre for Special Needs in Dubai is the aim of next month’s show.
The events have helped to shatter several myths, said Prasant Singh, 18, who has been involved in the effort since last year.
“The best part of Artex is that it is all in our hands, we have the freedom to do what we want and pool in ideas,” said Prasant, who will hand over nine paintings before heading to London to study for a Bachelor of Science in design engineering.
“It is a brilliant concept. There is this myth that you can’t do anything unless you have big resources, you need to be a certain age, need contacts. There is nothing like that if you try.”
The paintings on display next month will range from striking portraits to reflective landscapes. Textured effects on acrylic using the palette knife vividly capture palm trees and sunsets in several of Keenan’s contributions, including Dubai landmarks.
One of his paintings uses melted crayons splaying multi-hued colours across a blue canvas, while drawing energy from a central green-blue planet to signify unity between different nationalities.
Prasant’s paintings include a five-part black and white series focused on women.
The teenagers reach out to others through school art competitions, on Instagram, Facebook or mobile messaging such as WhatsApp or BlackBerry Messenger.
The paintings usually cost between Dh50 to Dh700 and are pegged in consultation with Keenan’s art teacher.
The initiative has sharpened his organisation and fund-raising skills, and includes speaking to potential sponsors at Rotary Club meetings.
“I have learnt so much in the last year,” said Keenan, who now draws on a database of 80-plus teen artists.
“I loved the experience. This is just our third exhibition and we’re still learning. I love getting in touch with teens because they always have new ideas.”
Keenan’s parents have been a strong influence, teaching him the importance of giving.
His mother Cherylann, an advertising sales manager, has identified charitable causes for him.
His father Justin, a human resources manager, sowed the seeds when he asked Keenan, then 14, to do something for charity in exchange for a video console for Christmas.
The boy sold three paintings to friends and family and donated Dh1,000 to a cancer charity.
“It’s important to have children give back to the community they have grown up in and realise the concept is bigger than themselves,” said Jyothi Pinto, who organises volunteers at the St Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali.
“What’s admirable is how he has rallied people together to support a cause, how he manages logistics. He is a terrific role model.”
Artex 2014 is at Times Square Centre, Dubai on September 19 to 20. On Instagram @artexforcharity. On Facebook: facebook.com/artexforcharity.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
