We had the honor of attending the Mercy Ships Charity Gala, held at the prestigious Hôtel de Paris in Monaco as part of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.
The gala was hosted by Mercy Ships, an NGO that dispatches hospital ships to coastal regions of Africa to provide life-saving surgeries and medical care. Operated largely by volunteer staff, the organization also trains local healthcare professionals, leaving a lasting impact on the communities it serves.
The Hikari Project contributed an original art piece to the gala auction, created by blending traditional Japanese lacquerware techniques with contemporary art and AI-generated imagery. Centered on the theme of the ocean, the artwork was designed to support recovery efforts following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. It features the exquisite craft of Wajima-nuri—a centuries-old lacquer technique—combined with gemstone embellishments and luminous reflections symbolizing hope and resilience.
This fusion of Japanese cultural heritage and social contribution was widely praised as a meaningful approach to creative philanthropy. The auction drew strong interest and heartfelt support from attendees around the world.
