A PRINT SALE
FUNDRAISER FOR
TURKEY & SYRIA

The fourth edition of Pictures for Purpose (16 – 30 March 2023) was organised in support of those affected by the devastating February earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The fundraiser secured financial assitance for Ahbap, one of the most active grassroots voluntary aid networks in Turkey. and The White Helmets, a humanitarian volunteer organisation operating in Syria.

39 international artists donated a print towards the initiative; as in previous years, a number of the featured artists had a prior affinity with the affected regions. For the first time, this edition of Pictures for Purpose offered larger works in a limited edition of 30, with all proceeds split between the partner organisations. By the time the fundraiser concluded, we’d registered a phenomenal total of €80.392,00 in sales.

AHBAP

Founded by the Turkish musician and philanthropist Haluk Levent, Ahbap is a non-governmental grassroots organisation. It is a collaborative movement, working with a value system based on solidarity, sharing, caring, and belonging. The organisation’s work spans social aid, animal rights, humanitarian aid, and natural disaster coordination and assistance. Ahbap has more than 68 established local working groups around Turkey developing projects based on sustainable solidarity models.

White Helmets

Formed in 2014 during the Syrian Civil War, The White Helmets is a volunteer organisation that operates in parts of opposition-controlled Syria – where the impact of the earthquake was most greatly felt. The majority of the volunteers’ activity in Syria consists of medical evacuations, urban search and rescue in response to bombing, the evacuation of civilians from danger areas, and essential service delivery. In a place where public services no longer function, these humanitarian volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need – regardless of their religion or politics. They pledge commitment to the principles of “Humanity, Solidarity, Impartiality” as outlined under international humanitarian law and assert their impartiality in the Syrian conflict.