In times of crisis, contemporary art becomes a voice of solidarity
On May 8, 2025, Milan will host a powerful event where 40 Italian artists from Venice and international will come together to support the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. The initiative, held at the L.Oc.K. space and promoted by APS Schighera and the Emergenza Gaza network, aims to raise funds through the sale of artworks, contributing directly to humanitarian projects in one of the world’s most devastated areas.
40 Artists for Gaza: When Art Meets Social Responsibility
The project, titled “40 Artists for Gaza”, brings together an extraordinary group of Italian artists, including renowned names like Stefano Arienti, Eva Marisaldi, Diego Marcon, Adrian Paci, Yuri Ancarani, Francesco Simeti, Chiara Camoni, Jacopo Benassi, and Simone Berti. Alongside them are international voices such as Khalid Albaih and Ako Atikossie, contributing to a rich mix of styles, perspectives, and expressive forms.
The auction will present a diverse range of artworks, from painting and sculpture to photography and conceptual installations. Each piece has been donated by the artists to support projects like field clinics and water wells for hundreds of families, helping provide vital resources in a region suffering from war, isolation, and ongoing emergency.

Francesco Simeti, Citadel, 2025

Jacopo Benassi, Selfportrait, 2025

Roberta Colombo, Flowerpower, 2018
Artworks as Acts of Resistance and Testimony
Among the featured works are powerful pieces that combine artistic excellence with strong humanitarian messages. Sudanese cartoonist and artist Khalid Albaih offers Old Man Palestine, a political illustration that speaks out against oppression, using a visual language that resonates worldwide.
Italian filmmaker and artist Yuri Ancarani contributes Il Popolo delle Donne, a still from his film of the same name presented at the Venice Film Festival, offering a visceral take on women’s experiences in prison and the contradictions of masculinity in contemporary Italy. The piece highlights how photography can be used to capture complex social realities.
Stefano Arienti, a key figure among contemporary Italian artists, presents Sonata Opera 34, a poetic perforation on vinyl that explores sound, matter, and memory. Through subtle material gestures, Arienti transforms the intangible into a delicate, yet impactful, visual experience.

Ako Atikossie, Interaction Moléculaire, 2020

Khalid Albaih, Old man Palestine, 2025
Where Sculpture and Photography Intersect
The relationship between sculpture and photography is at the heart of Selfportrait by Jacopo Benassi. Combining Polaroids, wood, glass, and spray paint, Benassi turns his own image into a tactile object—an autobiographical and sculptural exploration of identity. The work breaks the boundary between mediums, showcasing photography as something deeply physical and personal.
Simone Berti, on the other hand, offers an untitled mixed-media work on paper, where organic forms evoke a fusion of body and nature. His visual universe, suspended between dystopia and rebirth, reflects on transformation and the fragile beauty of life.
Painting, Installation, and Ecological Consciousness
Several of the artworks reflect current global issues such as climate change, migration, and collective memory. Interaction Moléculaire by Ako Atikossie is a vibrant composition of acrylic and marker that visualizes the complexity of matter, reflecting on the transitions of our era—from ecological breakdown to digital transformation.
Adrian Paci, an Albanian-born artist now based in Italy, contributes The Mysterious Guest, a piece focused on themes of migration, hospitality, and human dignity. Meanwhile, Francesco Simeti presents Citadel, a collage that layers poppies and native plants over historical images from the Palestinian Museum, suggesting regeneration and hope amidst destruction.

Adrian Paci, L’ospite misterioso, 2017
A Night for Art, Peace, and Human Dignity
The May 8th auction is more than just a charity event—it’s a celebration of art and collective responsibility, bringing together collectors, curators, gallerists, and the public around a common goal. All proceeds will go directly to humanitarian projects in Palestine, offering tangible aid in one of the world’s most pressing crises.
The Gaza Strip remains a powerful symbol of humanitarian injustice, where thousands of families lack access to basic needs like medical care and clean water. Through these artworks, the participating artists send a clear message: art can—and should—be a tool for empathy, awareness, and action.
Italian Artists Take a Stand
This initiative also reaffirms the important role of Italian artists in today’s global cultural dialogue. Their involvement not only showcases the vibrancy of the Italian contemporary art scene but also reflects a commitment to using their creative voice for ethical causes. From sculpture to photography, the artworks in this auction illustrate how diverse forms of expression can converge around a shared humanitarian mission.
Art as a Collective Force for Change
In a world where art is too often confined to galleries or market-driven spaces, this event demonstrates how artists can transform creativity into political and human action. The fusion of mediums—sculpture, painting, photography, and installation—creates a mosaic of perspectives that speak across borders and beyond aesthetics.
“40 Artists for Gaza” is a must-see event for anyone who believes in the transformative power of art. It’s an invitation to engage, to act, and to support not only the culture of today but the lives and futures of those who need it most.

Elena Salmistraro, Reputazione Siamo osservati
e giudicati, 2019