A special auction featuring works by 23 exiled visual artists will be live from 14 to 22 March on Catawiki.
Each artwork powerfully reflects themes of identity, artistic freedom and resilience.
All proceeds will be donated to the solidarity fund of the Atelier des Artistes en Exil (aa-e).
Paris, 17 March 2025 – Around the world, war, displacement, and censorship continue to silence voices and uproot lives. Among those most affected are artists and creators forced to abandon their homelands, studios, and audiences to escape persecution. In response, Catawiki, in partnership with the Atelier des Artistes en Exil (aa-e), is launching a special charity auction to support displaced talents. The auction will be live on Catawiki from 14 to 22 March 2025, with all proceeds going directly to the solidarity fund of the Atelier des Artistes en Exil (aa-e).
Spanning a range of styles and techniques - including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and collages - these pieces reflect the artist’s personal journey and explore their creative evolution, embracing themes of identity, transformation, and artistic freedom.
Featured artists:
Abderrahmane Cheref – Algeria
Hugor L'Enga Kingo, Richard Lusakumunu, Brunel Mangani, Tickson Mbuyi – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Youvensky Despeignes – Haiti
Maryam Aghaee – Iran
Reem Alnatsheh – Palestine
Rustam Adiukov, Tatiana Efrussi, Kir Esadov, Masha Kiseleva, Dmitry Raspopov, Jurate Schunyavichute, Buliash Todaeva, Daria Trubarova – Russia
Omar Ibrahim – Syria
- Fedora Akimova, Tatiana Cheprasova, Natalia March, Olena Siniuhina, Liudmyla Vatrych, Sasha Zaitseva – Ukraine
A charitable auction with a real impact
At a time when the global stage increasingly recognizes narratives of displacement, resilience, and artistic freedom - through cinema, literature, and art - many exiled artists still struggle for visibility and support. While some find opportunities on major cultural stages, many face systemic barriers - from administrative hurdles to financial insecurity and exclusion from mainstream art markets, their journey remains fraught with challenges.
Through this initiative, Catawiki and the Atelier des Artistes en Exil seek to bridge this gap by providing a space for artists to showcase their work and connect with a global audience of collectors.
"We are proud to collaborate with the Atelier des Artistes en Exil to support these talented individuals and give them the visibility they deserve. At Catawiki, we believe in art as a powerful medium of expression and resilience, and through our platform, we are enabling artists to directly offer their works to an international audience - helping them continue their creative journey and inspire beyond borders." commented Cyrille Coiffet, Vice President Art & Antiques at Catawiki.
The Atelier des Artistes en Exil (aa-e), led by Judith Depaule, has been dedicated since 2017 to supporting exiled artists by providing access to workspaces, professional assistance, and networking opportunities with French and European cultural institutions. This auction represents a crucial step in amplifying their visibility and fostering their professional and cultural integration.
"Since 2017, we have been multiplying initiatives to create opportunities for exiled artists. This first auction on a prestigious platform like Catawiki is an invaluable opportunity for these creators." said Judith Depaule, Director of the Atelier des Artistes en Exil
All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the solidarity fund of the Atelier des Artistes en Exil (aa-e).
This exclusive auction will be live from 14 to 22 March 2025 on Catawiki.
A media image bank is available here
