On October 4th, Salt Gallery will host a two-week online auction titled “HeArt for India” that will benefit the communities in India most impacted by the second wave of the Covid-19 virus. The auction will feature one-of-a kind works by emerging and mid-career artists from around the world. Artists include Alexandria Deters, Even Paul English, Sneha Krishnan, Brandon Barr, Katharina Schellenberger, Jordan Seefried, Blanka Amezkua, Salvatore Mauro, Zhen Guo, Justin Taylor, Gia Hendrix, Shreya Mehta, and Chad Cleveland.
The deadly second wave of Covid-19 left 27 million infected, and over 300,000 dead in India. At one point, India had been responsible for more than half of the world’s daily Covid-19 cases and set a record-breaking pace of about 400,000 a day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a premature victory over the virus early this year, allowing large, unmasked gatherings to be held which resulted in a sharp increase in cases. In an editorial, The Lancet, a medical journal, wrote that Mr. Modi “seemed more intent on removing criticism” on social media than “trying to control the pandemic.” A New York Times article from September, 2021 states that “Clinics across the country have reported an acute shortage of hospital beds, medicines, protective equipment and oxygen. Families of the sick are filling social media with pleas for oxygen as supplies run low at hospitals or because they are trying to administer care at home.
In partnership with Hemkunt Foundation, “HeArt for India” will raise funds to benefit the foundation’s work on the ground providing critical aid and relief to those most impacted by the Covid-19 virus. Their Oxygen Relief Initiative allows for the delivery of critical oxygen cylinders across the country. Hemkunt also established oxygen centers which can provide service for up to 500 critically ill patients who are unable to find a hospital bed, as well as drive-through facilities where patients can access oxygen supply until their condition stabilizes. Additionally, the Hemkunt Foundation executed over 10,000 food kit deliveries to marginalized families and daily wage workers, and over 20,000 medicine kits to interior zones of India where basic medicines have been lacking. Recently, Hemkunt Foundation established a free ambulance service to cater to critically ill patients who have been unable to access regular ambulance services due to long wait times. They currently have eight ambulances, with the hopes of obtaining more with proper funding.
In anticipation of a third wave in India, “HeArt for India” will raise funds that will directly benefit the important work that Hemkunt Foundation is doing on the ground daily. In addition to Covid-19 relief, Hemkunt Foundation is also placing a focus on generating employment for marginalized communities throughout India, with a focus on the empowerment of women.
Bidding will close on Monday, October 18th at 11:59pm EST.
For press inquiries, please email info@saltgallery.net