Show as slideshow

The intimate Ki Smith Gallery was abuzz with excitement during the exclusive VIP Cocktail Reception this evening to launch the highly anticipated “Friend” exhibition benefiting Sentebale. The event brought together supporters from the art, philanthropy, and culture worlds, with Co-Founding Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex at the event alongside gallerist Ki Smith and Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Sentebale’s Board Chair.

Sentebale was founded in 2006 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and HRH Prince Seeiso of Lesotho with a vision that all children and young people in southern Africa are empowered, healthy and resilient.

The reception provided an exclusive preview of the “Friend” exhibition’s curation, including iconic works by Bridget Riley, whose dynamic Op Art pieces have revolutionized visual perception; Frank Stella’s Blyvoors from the acclaimed South African Mine series; and Tadaaki Kuwayama’s rarely seen 1980s series, presented for the first time in decades. Contemporary highlights include dynamic contributions from Alana Dee Haynes, Dylan Reitz-Cruz, and Sono Kuwayama, who bring fresh perspectives to the exhibition’s dialogue between past and present.

All pieces are for sale with proceeds going to benefit the work of Sentebale. Select pieces have sold in pre-sale. Guests were treated to a first look at these iconic works before the exhibition opens to the public on December 14, 2024.

The reception featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the intersection of art and impact, introduced by The Duke, moderated by Dr. Chandauka, with panelists including Ki Smith, artist Rakuko Naito, and art collector Charlotte Matityahu. The dialogue explored how art serves as a medium for social change and a force for connection, resonating deeply with Sentebale’s mission to enable vulnerable children and young people to thrive.

Prominent artists, including Rakuko Naito and Jorge Luis Rodriguez, were among the guests, alongside Harriet McGurk, the wife of the late Frank Stella, Lesley Ma, Associate Curator, Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, Douglas Walla, Founder of Kent Fine Art, Francis Greenburger, founder of Time Equities Inc. and Art Omi, Inc., adding further prestige to the event.

“We are deeply grateful to Ki for curating this remarkable exhibition and for traveling with us to Lesotho and South Africa in October to witness firsthand the impact of Sentebale’s work. To the incredible artists who have contributed their talent and vision, thank you for lending your voices to this cause.” – Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex

“In Southern Africa, we say Ubuntu — a philosophy that means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are.’ Tonight, we see Ubuntu in action, reflected in this community of supporters and the incredible artists whose works inspire and connect us. Each piece on display carries a message of solidarity, dignity, respect and shared humanity. It is this same spirit of community that drives Sentebale’s mission.”
– Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair of the Board for Sentebale

“I believe that art can be a powerful tool for change and that what you give is what you get. Hosting this exhibition is my way of giving back and creating something meaningful and larger than our gallery. Putting this incredible collection together has been an honor and knowing it will make a tangible impact through Sentebale, is deeply rewarding.” – Ki Smith, Gallerist

Exhibited Artists:
Agnes Martin
Alana Dee Haynes
Bridget Riley

Dylan Rietz Cruz

Frank Stella

Jorge Luis Rodriguez

Rakuko Naito

Richard Hambleton

Sang Eun

Sono Kuwayama

Taiji Terasaki

Tadaaki Kuwayama


Exhibition Details:
‘Friend’ will run from Saturday, December 14 to Sunday, January 19
Ki Smith Gallery

170 Forsyth Street 

New York, NY 


Members of the public can visit kismithgallery.com to book a date.
 Exhibition is free to visit, with an opportunity for a donation to Sentebale on site.

Special thanks to Hanoch Sheps, counsel at Mazzola Lindstrom LLP, Royal Salute and Farm to People for their support. In addition, a warm thank you to Dana Estates and RUMOR Rosé for their contributions.

About Sentebale
Sentebale works with children and young people and their communities to create sustainable solutions that address issues of health, wealth inequity, and climate resilience in the Southern African countries of Lesotho and Botswana.

The organization was founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and HRH Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 as a response to the needs of children and young people in Lesotho and in memory of their late mothers. The name means ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the region.

Over the last eighteen years, Sentebale has developed solutions informed by children, their caregivers and the young people the organization serves, to address both systemic issues and individual needs of the moment. This work includes providing and enabling the care of young people living with HIV/AIDS, addressing mental health issues, career exploration and entrepreneurship, critical life skills and advocacy; and offering vocational training and education opportunities. Sentebale’s work has recently expanded into the regeneration of landscapes to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on the natural resources that communities rely on.
@Sentebale

About Ki Smith Gallery
Ki Smith Gallery opened its first location in 2018 in Harlem. In the subsequent years, Smith expanded and moved locations three times before settling in a multi-level exhibition space in the Lower East Side in 2022. Since moving, Ki Smith Gallery continues to work with rising contemporary artists and has expanded its program to include major collaborations with museums, NGOs, and record labels, notably hosting an exhibition of rare and some never before see Screen Tests by Andy Warhol, as well as putting on after-hours music performances featuring Grammy Award winning musicians. Smith is deeply dedicated to the arts and his contemporaries and works to create enduring relationships with artists and organizations.


Ki Smith Gallery was opened by native New Yorker Ki Smith, who at the age of 16 dropped out of school and began to work in local galleries. At 21, he co-founded Apostrophe NYC, which gained recognition for its innovative guerilla exhibitions at venues such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA PS1, and NYC subway stations.
@kismithgallery
kismithgallery.com