Art auction: The Emmanueli Collection

Art auction: The Emmanueli Collection

The Mission to Seafarers hosted an art auction on July 12, with works by well-known artists such as R_O_N_E, photographer John Gollings and illustrative artist Jeremy Kyle.

But it was artist Catherine de Boer who brought together their work, as well as her own, into the same room.

Late last year, Catherine climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania – Africa’s highest mountain – and made a promise to her guide Emmanueli.

“During my final climb to the summit past midnight, I decided to turn back at about 3am with severe altitude sickness,” Catherine said.

“I was at 5400m altitude and Emmanueli assisted in my self-rescue. He linked arms with me, and we ran together at speed and through total darkness for over two hours.”

“More than that, he shared with me his dream that night, to complete his education. I recognised in him his true desire to complete his education and better his life and that of his family, but he could not afford the fees.”

Catherine promised to help Emmanueli, and started a gofundme platform. Since that night, she has raised nearly half his fees through the sale of art and direct donation.

“The auction at the mission went really well. There was a really positive and charitable atmosphere. Everyone had a really good time,” she said.

“We cleared over $4000, over 30 art works were sold. The dome gallery space was amazing and the mission gave us great support.”

Catherine is planning to fly back to Tanzania in July next year with enough money for Emmanueli to get his diploma in safari guiding and wildlife management.

https://www.gofundme.com/diploma-for-a-tanzanian

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