Eyewitness MSF Charity Launches Photographic Print Auction

Whilst in the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown, a concerned group of 17 photographers, members of the Eyewitness Collective, dispersed across several continents, came up with an idea: to collect a series of prints by members and by selected invited photographers, in order to raise funds for the battle against this awful pandemic. We have been overjoyed by the feedback and thrilled that so many world-class photographers, true masters of their craft, have donated their beautiful prints.

As numbers of infections and deaths due to COVID 19 are sadly on the rise again and lockdowns are imminent, it’s very timely to make this project a reality, so we ask our friends and colleagues in the media to help this cause.

As an international group, we couldn’t have chosen a more important, dynamic and crucial group of people as the teams at MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders). The organisation is working across the world, to counter COVID 19. With nearly 50 years of experience fighting epidemics, protecting the most vulnerable and saving countless lives, we are humbled to do our part in helping MSF. We ask you to join us in turning our hopes into reality and make a difference in the lives of so many.

“MSF would like to say a huge thank you to the Eyewitness Collective for choosing to support our COVID-19 response. MSF is currently racing to respond to the pandemic in over 70 countries, and funds raised by the Eyewitness Collective will undoubtedly help us to achieve our vital priorities. These include supporting health systems and authorities, protecting vulnerable populations through vital medical services, improving infection prevention and control measures, and even opening new projects” – Meera Patel, Community and Corporate Giving Coordinator, MSF UK.

Over the past several months, we’ve secured a selection of 66 photographs. Among the more notable are an image by Magnum Photos’ legendary photographer Ian Berry from his iconic series The English, an image by the renowned Vietnam War photographer Tim Page, an image by the celebrated photojournalist Tom Stoddart from The Sudan, the fall of the Berlin Wall by the prominent photojournalist Paul Lowe, timeless fine art prints by the creative Yoshie Nishikawa, as well as several celebrity portraits by the likes of Mark Harrison, Jason Bell, Nicky Johnston and Clive Arrowsmith, to name just a few. The vast majority of the participating photographers are multi award-winning creatives, whose recognisable works grace the walls of galleries and private collections, the pages of magazines and books, the world over. The collection of prints cover fine art, photojournalism, music, street photography, portraiture, abstracts, landscape and daily life. We also have a couple of timely images made during this pandemic.

“The art of photography has been the choice for the wise investor for the past decade. It is a great honour to team up with some of the world’s greatest photographers to help the world face its biggest challenge in over a century” – James Lewis, CEO of Bamfords, is a regular face and voice on television and radio. He is without doubt one of the most recognised faces in the international antiques world and is presently an advisor to the British Government on antiques and has often advised on the history of objects contained at 10 Downing Street.

We’re thrilled to embark on this project and collaborate with the well-loved TV auctioneer extraordinaire, the wonderful James Lewis, who will be spearheading this online auction. He has generously donated his time and expertise, so that all of the money raised from this print auction can be donated to the MSF COVID 19 appeal, funding their emergency teams of experts as they help save lives. We’re most thankful that, as well as working tirelessly for many weeks preparing the sale, the wonderful team at the auction house Bamfords, have waived all auction fees, as have the kind folks at The Saleroom, which will provide the online platform for this auction, for free. This collaboration will ensure that the funds raised will go to MSF.

The auction is now open, so lovers of photography can already browse the catalogue, place bids and watch how the auction shapes up until it ends on November 15th at 5pm (GMT).

https://www.bamfords-auctions.co.uk/sales/derby/c14nov20/

We would also kindly ask you to share this website link, far and wide. The more we raise, the more people will survive this horrid pandemic, which affects us all, regardless of geography.

“GraphiStudio is thrilled to be doing its part in the photographic community and helping the Eyewitness Collective with their charity fundraising print auction to help raise funds for MSF’s COVID 19 fund” – Dario Righetto, GraphiStudio Global Marketing Director

We’re also most thankful to our friends at the world renowned GraphiStudio who will be making several of the museum quality prints of these wonderful images and are supporting our initiative by waiving all of their fees too.

Full List of Photographers Who Have Donated Their Work

Amelia Troubridge (UK), Brian Harris (UK), Clive Arrowsmith (UK), Crispin Rodwell (Rep of Ireland), Dave Sinclair (UK), David A Williams (Canada), Edmond Terakopian (UK), Fabrizia Costa (UK), Giles Duley (UK), Greg Finck (France), Ian Berry (UK), Ian Gavan (UK), Jason Bell (UK/USA), Jill Furmanovsky (UK), Johnson Wee (Malaysia), John Downing (UK), Marcus Bell (Australia), Mark Harrison (UK), Mark Waugh (UK), Markus Andersen (Australia), Michael Mac Sweeney (Rep of Ireland), Nick Turpin (UK), Nicky Johnston (UK), Nik Pekridis (Greece), Paul Lowe (UK), Paul Sanders (UK), Peter Adams (Australia), Peter Neill (UK), Richard Bradbury (UK), Rob Heyman (Australia), Rob Taggart (UK), Rocco Ancora (Australia), Ross Grieve (UK), Salvatore Dimino (Italy), Shane Balkowitsch (USA), Steve Scalone (Australia), Steven Neeson (UK), Stuart Wood (UK), Terry Harris (UK), Tim Page (Australia), Tom Stoddart (UK) and Yoshie Nishikawa (Italy/Japan).

More Information

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. They offer assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors and is currently working in over 70 countries worldwide with a movement of more than 67,000 people.

The Eyewitness Collective is an international collection of professional photographers, brought together by their passion to help society realise the importance of photographic prints; to value printed photographs as a way to preserve our actual memories, our personal histories and important events, and to enjoy the art of photography. Not to let photos wither into the ether as billions of digital images fading into only a virtual existence and soon – a non-existence.

Bamfords is a family run business and since its formation in 2002 has grown in size and reputation. Rising as a phoenix out of the ashes of Neales of Derby its core team have worked together for over 20 years. Based in the heart of the UK, with great road and rail links, Bamfords has rapidly overtaken competitors and grown into the position it is in today, one of Britain’s great auction houses.

Headed by one of the country’s most recognised antiques faces, James Lewis, Bamfords enjoy a comfortable position being the parent company to Neales of Nottingham, est. 1840, Richardson and Linnell, est. 1899 and Noel Wheatcroft.

Bamfords employs over 30 members of staff, including auctioneers and world renowned specialists. The Bamfords’ team is not limited to the UK, links with firms in North America, Africa and Asia gives us a reach far beyond our location.

GraphiStudio is a world leader in photographic printing and binding; their attention to detail and a unique approach that combines search for innovation, style and impeccable made in Italy quality makes them loved world over by photographers and their clients.

The Saleroom is an online bidding platform that allows you to bid at established arts and antiques auctions.