Prince Harry is set to attend an intimate launch party in New York City this week, kicking off a new art exhibition benefiting his charity Sentebale.
The Duke of Sussex will make an appearance on December 4 at Ki Smith Gallery to mark the opening of “Friend,” a showcase featuring works by prominent artists.
The exhibition, which opens to the public on December 14 and runs until January 19, will donate all gallery profits to support young people in Lesotho and Botswana.
The free-to-attend display brings together pioneering works from Minimalism and Op Art movements alongside contemporary pieces, offering visitors the option to make on-site donations to Sentebale.
Prince Harry is set to attend an intimate launch party in New York City this week, kicking off a new art exhibition benefiting his charity Sentebale.
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The exhibition will showcase iconic works by several renowned artists, including Frank Stella’s “Blyvoors” from his 1982 South African Mine series.
Visitors can expect to see seminal black-and-white works by Bridget Riley, a key figure in the Op Art movement.The display will also feature Tadaaki Kuwayama’s 1980s series, being presented for the first time in 40 years.
Additional artists featured include Rakuko Naito, Agnes Martin, Sono Kuwayama, Dylan Reitz-Cruz, Taiji Terasaki, Jorge Luis Rodriguez, Richard Hambleton and Sang Eun.
The exhibition’s name, “Friend,” was inspired by Ki Smith’s late grandfather Kuwayama, who was affectionately known as “Friend” by his grandchildren and whose work will be displayed.
Sentebale was established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
Sentebale was established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
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The charity’s name means “forget-me-not” in the Sesotho language, symbolising a commitment to remember vulnerable youth in Southern Africa.
The name holds special significance as forget-me-nots were Princess Diana’s favourite flower.
The organisation focuses on supporting children and young people in Southern Africa, including those living with HIV/AIDS.
Their work encompasses healthcare, education, vocational training, climate resilience and life skills programmes.
Meghan Markle will not join her husband in New York as she is scheduled to attend a different engagement in California on the same day as the couple’s separation of their professional lives continues.
Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Sentebale Board Chair, notes that Africa’s young people will comprise nearly 40% of the world’s youth population by 2050.
In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso praised the collaboration with Ki Smith Gallery, calling it “incredibly meaningful to the organisation”.
“Having Ki join us in Lesotho this past October to see Sentebale’s work firsthand, and to experience the creativity, resilience and determination of the young people we serve, was truly special,” they said.
Ki Smith, who recently visited Lesotho with the princes, shared his enthusiasm for the project.
“The ethos of Sentebale aligns perfectly with the values of our gallery: collaboration, optimism, and empowering the next generation,” Smith said.
In a joint statement, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso praised the collaboration with Ki Smith Gallery, calling it “incredibly meaningful to the organisation”.
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“Friend is more than an exhibition; it’s a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together to create meaningful change.”
The exhibition is free to attend, with visitors having the option to make on-site donations to Sentebale.
Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE highlighted the importance of such collaborations, stating: “Ki Smith’s visionary approach to merging art and philanthropy is deeply impactful.
“By showcasing works of such high caliber artists and making them accessible whilst telling the story of the promise and power of Africa’s youth through the work of Sentebale, we see the power of friendships beyond borders.”
