Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso Unveil ‘Incredibly Meaningful’ Art Exhibit at N.Y.C. Gallery (Exclusive)

Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho’s charity, Sentebale, is preparing to unveil something special in New York City.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that Sentebale has partnered with Ki Smith Gallery for an art exhibition titled “Friend,” which will open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 14. The exhibition, running until Jan. 19, will be free to attend, with an option for visitors to make on-site donations to Sentebale. Members of the public can RSVP to attend through the gallery’s website. The display will feature works by pioneers of Minimalism and Op Art alongside contemporary artists, with 100% of the gallery’s profits from the display donated to Sentebale, which uplifts young people in Lesotho and Botswana. 

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, “This collaboration with Ki Smith and his gallery is incredibly meaningful to the organization. Having Ki join us in Lesotho this past October to see Sentebale’s work firsthand, and to experience the creativity, resilience and determination of the young people we serve, was truly special. ‘Friend’ is making art accessible to everyone—an act that resonates deeply with Sentebale’s ethos of leaving no one behind. This exhibition captures the spirit of inclusivity and community that lies at the heart of both Sentebale and Ki Smith Gallery. Sharing art as a powerful force for connection and change, is inspiring.”

The Duke of Sussex will attend an intimate launch party on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to officially kick off the exhibit.

Prince Harry, 40, and Prince Seeiso, 58, established Senteale in 2006 in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. Sentebale means “forget-me-not” in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable youth in the region. Sentebale’s name also links the charity to Princess Diana in another way, as forget-me-nots were her favorite flower. 

Sentebale works to support children and young people in Southern Africa, including those living with HIV/AIDS, covering healthcare, education, vocational training, climate resilience and life skills. By donating proceeds from “Friend” to Sentebale, Smith hopes to reimagine the intersection of art and impact, effortlessly connecting philanthropy and high art. 

The showcase will feature iconic works by Frank Stella (Blyvoors, 1982, from the acclaimed South African Mine series), Bridget Riley (seminal black-and-white works, key to the Op Art movement) and Tadaaki Kuwayama (1980s series, presented for the first time in 40 years), and exhibit artists Rakuko Naito, Agnes Martin, Sono Kuwayama, Dylan Reitz-Cruz, Taiji Terasaki, Jorge Luis Rodriguez, Richard Hambleton and Sang Eun. 

The display’s welcoming name was inspired by the spirit of friendship, which is a key theme for both the Lower East Side gallery and Sentebale’s work, deeply rooted in community engagement and collaborating with national and international organizations to execute programming. Smith, a native New Yorker, named the exhibit in honor of Kuwayama, his late grandfather, who was affectionately called “Friend” by his grandchildren and whose work will be on view.

“When I first learned about Sentebale, I was struck by their innovative and community-driven approach to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges affecting the next generation,” Smith said in a statement. “The ethos of Sentebale aligns perfectly with the values of our gallery: collaboration, optimism, and empowering the next generation. ‘Friend’ is more than an exhibition; it’s a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together to create meaningful change.”

The gallerist recently joined Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in Lesotho in October, a trip which reconvened the princes with local Sentebale leaders to highlight programs to philanthropists and corporate foundations.

The Duke of Sussex’s trip included visits to Mamohato Children’s Centre, a heartfelt fireside chat, day in Leribe to see programs championing young people and private panel discussion about strengthening the next generation. 

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“I’ve made it one of my life’s missions to create a platform for young voices, and we have seen time and time again that young voices, when they are listened to, have the solutions,” Prince Harry said in a statement shared to the sussex.com website he shares with his wife, Meghan Markle.

“Friend,” benefitting Sentebale at the Ki Smith Gallery in New York City, opens on Dec. 14 and runs until Jan. 19. Members of the public can RSVP to attend via kismithgallery.com. 

“Ki Smith’s visionary approach to merging art and philanthropy is deeply impactful. By showcasing works of such high caliber artists and making them accessible whilst telling the story of the promise and power of Africa’s youth through the work of Sentebale, we see the power of friendships beyond borders,” Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE, Sentebale Board Chair, said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Africa’s young people are set to make up nearly 40% of the world’s youth population by 2050. A significant proportion of them struggle with access to healthcare, skills and employment. Collaborations like this help us engage new communities, such as artists, galleries and collectors, whose generosity unlocks innovative funding of Sentebale programs for the upliftment of youngsters in Lesotho and Botswana.”