SALCEDO Auctions’ subsidiary Gavel&Block will hold an online benefit auction on its official website on May 23, 2 p.m., to support communities affected by the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine. The fundraising auction will be for the benefit of the international hunger relief organization Rise Against Hunger (RAH) Philippines.

For sale at the benefit auction are more than 200 lots of fine and decorative art, furniture, jewelry, and timepieces, as well as fashion pieces.

Highlighted in the upcoming auction is an oil painting titled Tianzi Mountain 1341 (2013) by portraitist and landscape artist Besty Westendorp. The painting depicts Tian Zi mountain located in China’s Hunan province.

“There was an art lover who wanted a painting done by me, but requested to put some mountains in the painting. I was surprised because I never painted mountains,” Ms. Westendorp said during the Gavel&Block community call via Zoom on April 26.

Ms. Westendorp recalled scanning images of mountains online when she was amazed by photos of Tian Zi mountain. “It’s very nice that we get to reach the world in our hands. When I saw that site, I got carried away.”

Other works to go on the block are National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera’s 2013 digital print of (Untitled) Lady with Fan, conceptual artist Roberto Chabet’s House 1979 (1985), fine prints by National Artist Arturo Luz, as well as works by Fernando Zobel, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, and Nena Saguil. Contemporary art pieces by Rod Paras Perez, Lilo Gutierrez, Lynyrd Paras, Ronyel Compra, and Medicom Jean-Michel Basquiat will also go under the gavel.

Modern Filipiniana pieces were donated by fashion designers Jojie Lloren, Len Cabili, and Joey Samson, while photographs by Veejay Villafranca, Paco Guerrero, Denise Weldon, and Sonny Thakur are also for sale. The auction will also feature fashion accessories from designers such as Bea Valdes, Aranaz, Joanique, and FINO.

“Art enables us to get together for a good cause,” Salcedo Auctions director Richie Lerma said in the community call.

A substantial portion of the proceeds from the auction will be allocated for RAH Philippines’ food distribution and aid to communities affected by the quarantine. Adhering to dietary and food safety standards, RAH Philippines ensures that each family member receives 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day. As of April 26, the organization has reached 19,687 families, 200 people with disabilities, 400 homeless people, and 30 hospitals.

Consignments for the fundraising auction are still being accepted. Those interested in supporting this fundraiser can send pictures of their fine and decorative art to info@salcedoauctions.com or contact (0917-825-7449 or 0917-107-5581). For more information, visit https://salcedoauctions.com/. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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