For the past year, unprecedented challenges have exposed the deep fault lines of our society. Artists are so often at the forefront of movements for change seeking to repair these fault lines: truth-tellers grappling with society’s most prescient challenges, injustices, hopes, and joys. Artists in Support of Human Rights Watch 20 21 is an online benefit auction featuring 41 works from established and emerging artists commenting on the current state of the world. A truly global, diverse group of artists deploy a variety of mediums, including photography, textile, sculpture, and more.

Jorge Mañes Rubio is part of Artists in Support of Human Rights Watch 20 21 with his work ‘I Need You to Know That Even Though You’re Not Here, You’re Here (Juanita)’. This sculpture was made over several months of lockdown in his atelier in Amsterdam, depicting a world inhabited by a diversity of beings —whether human, non human, material and spiritual. “I’m currently changing my approach to art, reframing it as active matter; something that can be handled, experienced, and ultimately activated. I’m focused on new ways of understanding agency, intimacy and awareness in relation to my practice and the artworks I produce.”

This benefit auction is part of Art + Activism and organized by WILLAS contemporary with all proceeds being donated to Human Rights Watch. Artists will receive their typical percentage, which they can choose to donate to Human Rights Watch.

Art + Activism supports Human Rights Watch by engaging with artists, curators, cultural icons, and galleries. It deploys creative mediums for the human rights movement, toward a more equitable future where everyone’s voice is elevated.

Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. 450 people of 70-plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need.  To ensure their independence, they refuse government funding and carefully review all donations to ensure that they are consistent with their policies, mission, and values. They partner with organizations large and small across the globe to protect embattled activists and to help hold abusers to account and bring justice to victims.

Browse lots and place bids on ARTSY before the auction closes on Thursday, March 18th at 1:00pm EDT (6:00pm CET).