SiGMA East Europe Auction sparks bidding war, raises €83,500 for SiGMA Foundation
During the SiGMA East Europe Summit Awards ceremony, a charitable auction was hosted to support projects funded by the SiGMA Foundation. Held in the elegant Ballroom of the Intercontinental Budapest, the event offered guests a night of fine dining and philanthropy. The auction, conducted by the lively and charismatic auctioneer Rick Goddard, showcased a selection of generously donated artworks. His engaging presence and enthusiasm were instrumental in raising significant funds for the Foundation’s initiatives.
The highlights of the night were a painting called Strip Poker Night Dream by Sandra Kowalskii, and a colourful rendition of a Rubik´s cube by Derek Mason – sparking an intense bidding war, and ultimately raising a staggering €40,000 and €20,000 respectively.
The proceeds from the auction will support several global projects championed by the SiGMA Foundation. This year’s initiatives include a multi-sensory hall for disadvantaged children in Bataan, Philippines—recently inaugurated as part of the SiGMA Asia 2024 agenda—cleft palate surgeries for children in Colombia, and a skill-building project for women in the Bonga region of Ethiopia. The auction successfully raised €83,500.
The event received generous support from BETCONSTRUCT, an award-winning provider of technology and services for both online and land-based gaming industries.
Auction 1: Sold for €2000 to Match Liquidity
Future by Anna Bukhareva
In an evocative oil painting by Miami-based artist Anna Bukhareva, a young boy’s joyous celebration in a bustling stadium symbolizes hope and potential. Known for her expressive oil and watercolor works, Anna explores human nature through vibrant, dynamic compositions.
Auction 2: Sold for €6500 to Focus Gaming
The Art of Gaming by Edo
Combining graffiti art with Roman and Greek statues, EDO, a Maltese artist based in Cyprus, captures the dynamic and vibrant essence of the gaming industry. Drawing inspiration from Voka’s spontaneous realism, EDO has showcased his work across the globe.
Auction 3: Sold for €20,000 to Louis Hadfield (Haddzy)
Infinite Solutions by Derek Mason
Infinite Solutions, a luminous oil painting by Derek Mason, depicts a Rubik’s Cube, embodying the Slavic inventive spirit. It symbolizes the intersection of blockchain, gambling, and strategic innovation, blending gaming with business acumen. Bidding frenzy
Auction 4: Sold for €40,000 to WatchGamesTv
Strip Poker Night Dream by Sandra Kowalskii
Sandra Kowalski, renowned for her innovative acrylic techniques and lenticular printing, presents a captivating piece inspired by the thrill of poker. This fantasy painting reimagines the game, infusing it with heightened adrenaline and a relaxed, yet intense, atmosphere.
Auction 5: Sold for € 7000 to EGT Digital
Onwards and upwards by Lucienne Spiteri
In a symbolic scene by Lucienne Spiteri, a banker representing FIAT currency gazes at hot air balloons symbolizing cryptocurrency, pondering the shifting markets. Spiteri, a Maltese artist born in 1970, blends her passion for painting and photography into evocative works.
Auction 6: Sold for € 8000 to Match Liquidity
Time and Space 2023 by Haroutin Hakobyan
Haroutin Hakobyan, an Armenian artist born in Gyumri, creates thought-provoking works like “Time and Space.” His art, blending mythology, nature, and religion, features a mesmerizing mix of colors and shapes, evoking timelessness and infinite space.
SiGMA Foundation 2025: The road ahead
Looking ahead, the SiGMA Foundation has ambitious plans for the upcoming year. Building on the success of past initiatives, the Foundation aims to expand its reach and scale its impact in key areas.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to raise €100,000 for a new annex at a hospital in Iquitos, Peru. Situated in the Peruvian Amazon Jungle and operated by the parish of Saint Martin de Porres, the hospital serves impoverished communities across the region. Led by Gozitan Fr. Raymond Portelli, the parish priest and practicing doctor based in Peru, the project will include constructing new patient rooms, a conference room, storage facilities, and a green area for patient recreation.
The facility offers crucial services for various conditions, including psychological support, long-term care for AIDS patients, and treatment for tuberculosis, cirrhosis, cancer, renal failure, and other critical illnesses. The new annex aims to expand the hospital’s capacity to meet the growing demand for medical care and enhance the quality of life for its patients.
Get Involved As A Participant or Sponsor
Want to make a difference? If you’re interested in sharing your ideas, contributing financially, or joining our fundraising efforts, we welcome your enthusiasm and commitment to positive change.
Start your journey with the SiGMA Foundation by reaching out through the SiGMA website.
