WHO we are?

Founders and Trustees Statement

SEI x ART is a cultural and creative venture rooted in our family’s journey from Northern India to West Africa. This initiative aims to unite culture, history, and creativity, fostering collaboration and empowerment through meaningful conversations. Despite the apparent differences between Africa and South Asia, they share parallel narratives of self-discovery, marked by diverse cultures and shared challenges on their paths to growth. SEI x ART supports talented artists and raises funds for our initiatives, offering a powerful means of impact.

 

Our inaugural SEI x ART event curates artists and panelists around themes like identity, empowerment, spirituality, and the environment. We see this as the start of a journey where we share our knowledge and passion for Africa and South Asia with a global audience. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our family, friends, and esteemed partners for their unwavering support, nurturing us as we embark on this exciting SEI x ART chapter. Together, we boldly leave our mark, establishing a fresh footprint for SEI.

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SEI & SEI X ART - Our Mission

In 2019, Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI) took root in Nigeria with a heartfelt aspiration: to empower youth through education, healthcare, and vocational skills across Lagos, Warri, and Kano. Presently, SEI educates 4,000 students, runs a 75-bed clinic, and supports 40,000 farmers. Over the past four years, SEI’s mission has flourished, encompassing vocational training, scholarship grants, women’s empowerment, environmental solutions, art, and educational film.

SEI unveiled SEI x ART in 2023, a subsidiary platform that transports the richness of African & South Asian Art to an international audience. Art is more than mere visuals—it is therapeutic, an encouragement for creativity, and a catalyst for empowerment. The word ‘Agbara’ embodies ‘empowerment’ and ‘land of the spirits’ in Yoruba. ‘The Agbara Series’, inspires one to draw courage and strength from their own communities. It is an honor to have stood alongside nine uniquely talented artists, witnessing the birth of their inspired creations.

 

Today, there are nearly 17.5 million orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. SEI plans to play its part by building and running an orphanage in Warri, Nigeria; extending access to education, healthcare, and a safe home to children, supplemented by ongoing SEI programs. 50% of the funds raised will be allocated to the construction of the Orphanage in Warri, Nigeria,

while the remaining 50% will be granted to the artists to support their ongoing creative pursuits.

 

We also plan to extend a hand to those whose lives took a detour during Covid-19 in India. The aftermath of the pandemic has taken a toll on education and disrupted the normalcy of childhood. Unseen struggles with mental health, tracking, child labor, gender inequality, and poverty persist. In collaboration with partners Altry Gifts That Matter and Impact(ed) International, we hope to address these silent challenges.

 

SEI aims to raise funds from the SEI x ART auction to contribute to its mission of empowering the youth of Nigeria and India. Your support holds the key to break the chains of poverty and offer these children a brighter tomorrow. Join us in scripting stories of empowerment—one life, one change, one hope at a time.

5:00 pm – Preview Drinks

13th September 2023

7:00 pm - Panel Discussions

Talk Title: Art and Collecting in Emerging Markets

Moderator: Sarah Aziza – Private Sales for Contemporary Art Sotheby’s

Panelists: Surabhi Chowdhury – Artist for SEI x ART

Kamila Rangoonwala Ahmed – Curator and Art Advisor for SEI x ART

Ishrat Kanga – Head of South Asian Art Department at Sotheby’s

Adriana La Lime – Deputy Director of Modern and Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s

13th September 2023

7:30 pm – Panel Discussion

Talk Title: Philanthropy: Cross-Continent Conversations

Moderator: Sarina Vaswani – Founder of Stallion Empowerment Initiative and SEI x ART

Panelists: Richard Hawkes – CEO of The British Asian Trust

Ritu Hinduja Chhabria – Managing Trustee of Mukul Madhav Foundation

Maharawal of Jaisalmer, Chaitanya Rai Singh – Rankumari Ratnavati School - Gyaan Center

Nela Duke Ekpenyoung – CEO of Obudu Conservation Center

13th September 2023

5:00 pm – Auction Drinks Reception

Opening Statement from Sarina Vaswani

Opening Statement from Curator, Kamila Rangoonwala Ahmed

14th September 2023

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm – Auction for Artworks and Travel Experiences

The auctioneer for the event is Nikita Binani, Head of Sales and Jewelry Specialist at Sotheby’s London

Auction Order:

Artworks Auction

  • Jagmohan Bangani
  • Ama Ejiou
  • Aadithya Sadashiv
  • Longinos Nagila
  • Surabhi Chowdhury
  • Ife Ofulue
  • Kirsten Frost
  • Harman Taneja
  • Kenneth Nkusi

 

Travel Experiences Auction

  • 4 night stay in Jaisalmer. The stay includes tea with Maharawal Chaitanya Raj Singh at his palace in Jaisalmer
  • 5 night expedition in Kenya which includes 3 days in the Masai Mara and 2 nights in Nairobi
14th September 2023

WANT TO JOIN OUR AUCTION ONLINE?

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