When Buying Affordable Art Is An Even Better Idea

By Amulya Hiremath

Last year, the United Nations declared the years 2021-2030 the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This is at the heart of the 2021 edition of Pictures for Purpose, a creative effort committed to supporting some of the world’s most urgent causes by selling curated photo prints. The fundraiser will feature works by 36 artists and is scheduled to run from June 7-21. Having raised over 200,000 euros in its inaugural installment for the Dutch Foodbank last year, this time the initiative — working with the United Nations Environment Program — is looking to tackle climate change. A guaranteed minimum of 50% of sales proceeds will go to Justdiggit, an NGO devoted to reviving lost ecosystems. The contributing artists also get to keep a share of the income, as compensation for both their art and the lost revenue due to the ongoing pandemic.

Keeping in mind the role photography plays in uniting and connecting communities in challenging times like this, the fundraiser features a host of photographers from all across the globe. Contributors, carefully picked by Pictures for Purpose’s co-founder Isabella van Marle, include Dana Lixenberg (NL), Jack Davison (UK), Melanie Bonajo (NL), Gregory Halpern (US), Min Hyunwoo (KR), Joana Choumali (CI) and Hashem Shakeri (IR).

Dedicated to re-greening millions of hectares of land where vegetation is susceptible to the effects of climate change, Justdiggit is an organization executing the U.N.’s call for the prevention and reversal of damage to ecosystems around the globe. Focusing on mobilizing farmers and scaling sustainable land practices to protect and enhance ecosystems, Justdiggit so far has empowered 300 million subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to make their dry land green again. The proceeds from this year’s Pictures for Purpose sale will mean Justdiggit can continue on their mission in combating the effects of climate change.

Each print will sell for 125 euros each, and measure  20 x 30 cm in size. The fundraiser goes live Monday, June 7 on Pictures for Purpose: www.picturesforpurpose.org.