The first charity auction of contemporary art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Art for Al Balad, achieved sales of SR4.8 million ($1.3 million) on Wednesday.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Culture in co-operation with auction house Christie's.
It featured 43 works all sold by Saudi and Arab artists and was held at the historic Nassif House in Al Balad, Jeddah.
“Tawaf around the Kaaba 2", the painting by Saudi artist Abdullah Al shalty, receiving the highest price paid for any single work in the auction, SR650,000.
Bidding was highly competitive and almost 200 artists, Saudi art collectors and other members of the Saudi and international cultural communities attended the event.
The auction's profits will go to support both The Help Centre, a non-governmental organisation that supports children with special educational needs and to establish a new heritage museum in Jeddah's historic district.
The auction received funding and donations from cultural foundations, artists, galleries and private collectors across the Arab World and was acknowledged by the Ministry of Culture.
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