Global | Honoring Princess Yasmin Aga Khan & Rita Hayworth: World renowned artists – Britain’s Yarrow & Turkey’s Baykam – Unite with Hilton Contemporary Art Gallery in support of Alzheimer’s Association
Chicago’s Hilton Contemporary Art Gallery has brought together world renowned European artists – Britain’s David Yarrow and Turkey’s Bedri Baykam – to unite with and celebrate Princess Yasmin Aga Khan’s dedication through the annual Rita Hayworth Galas to supporting Alzheimer’s Association.
Inspired by the unrelenting efforts of Princess Yasmin Aga Khan to bring awareness of and raise research funds for Alzheimer’s disease, the artists have donated signature pieces via the Hilton Contemporary as homage to Rita Hayworth.
Hilton Contemporary Gallery showing Baykam’s & Yarrow’s recent works in honour of Princess Yasmin Aga Khan’s Rita Hayworth Gala in support of Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting its annual Rita Hayworth Gala on the Saturday before Mother’s Day Sunday – Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at the iconic Old Post Office in Chicago. In 2024, the Rita Hayworth Gala in Chicago raised nearly $900,000, directly supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s initiatives in care, support, and research.
Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Honorary Vice Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association, will host the evening, joined by Gala Chairs Rozmin and Ebrahim Valliani, who are dedicated to this cause in memory of Ebrahim’s grandmother, adding a deeply personal dimension to their leadership role. More details on the event and how to attend the gala follows after the Artist profiles below.
Bedri Baykam and Hilton Contemporary have donated this Homage to Rita in support of Princess Yasmin Aga Khan Rita Hayworth Gala.
Artist: BEDRI BAYKAM Title: HOMAGE TO RITA Size: 38” x 32” Value: $7600 (framed price) Medium: Limited edition Archival Pigment Print Edition size: 7 plus 3 AP (artist proofs)
“Homage to one of the greatest Hollywood Legends, Rita Hayworth, who passed away from early-onset Alzheimer’s in 1987.
Born in 1918, the actress was considered one of the most glamorous film legends of the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Today, her memory lives on through her daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan who has dedicated her life to raising awareness and funds for research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.”
~ Bedri Baykam,
Turkey’s iconic artist and intellectual,
Co-Founder & President of UPSD-Turkish Plastic Arts Association,
World President of the International Association of Art (IAA),
Istanbul, Turkey
This edition is one of three artist proofs donated by David Yarrow and Hilton Contemporary.
Yarrow chose to donate this magnificent and symbolic photo of this beautiful and rare tusker elephant taken in the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, home to some of the largest mammals in the world. With remarkable cognitive abilities, elephants are known for their memory. As they say, “An elephant never forgets.” And so, this photograph is a tribute to the care, support and research efforts of Princess Yasmin Aga Khan for the Rita Hayworth Gala in support of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Artist: DAVID YARROW Title: TSAVO EAST Size: 40” x 40” Value: $14,000 (framed price) Medium: Limited edition Archival Pigment Print Edition size: 12 plus 3 AP (artist proofs)
“This magnificent old elephant is not only one of the planet’s few remaining big tuskers, her tusks are actually symmetrical and touch at the tips – to my knowledge this is unique. The Tsavo Tusk Rangers found her taking shade from the midday sun in the heart of Tsavo East – a long drive for sure, but so long as she remained reachable, it was worth making the journey. We were a long way from base camp – maybe a four hour drive.
The difficulty was to determine how to work the camera at ground level – remotes were not an option as there was no pattern to her movement and a prerequisite for remotes is predictable movement from the subject.
The next best option was to work from underneath the jeep – a potentially dangerous approach but Richard Moller, my guide, knew this elephant has never charged and toppled a vehicle before and whilst there is always a first, I trusted Richard. That’s a golden rule of mine in the field – trust those that you partner with on the ground, otherwise why partner with them?
Nikon’s newest camera – the D850 and newest medium telephoto lens, the 105mm were my combination that day and the textural detail in this elephant showcases the benefit of this combination. I think everyone played a part in this picture – Richard, the jeep, the camera, the cameraman and most of all the elephant. In fact, I don’t think I would get on the medal podium.
This is a high impact portrait of a wonderful elephant in her last years. I will never see her again.”
~ David Yarrow,
British fine-art photographer, conservationist and author,
best selling photographer in the world,
Devon, England
Artist: DAVID YARROW Title: FATHER AND SON Framed Size: 49” x 64” Value: $18,700 (framed price) Medium: Limited edition Archival Pigment Print Edition size: 12 plus 3 AP (artist proofs)
“Shot on the Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic Sea, this is a poignant photograph of father and son Emperor Penguins walking alone on the the icy terrain of this island that is 1000 miles east of the tip of South America.”
~ David Yarrow,
British fine-art photographer, conservationist and author,
best selling photographer in the world,
Devon, England
About Arica Hilton & Hilton Contemporary
Chicago, Illinois, USA – April 4, 2024: Arica Hilton and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan next to the art piece by BEDRI BAYKAM – HOMAGE TO RITA. Image credit: Alzheimer’s Association
Arica Hilton is based in Chicago, where she is the director and curator of Hilton | Contemporary, a gallery representing artists who seek change for a better world. She is also the lead artist-in-residence for Immersive Van Gogh Chicago, 2021.
Near and far, Hilton seeks the unique and uncommon. She has participated in global initiatives for just governance and human security. And she inspires awareness and searches for solutions to improve living conditions for humanity and our earth as a whole. Hilton’s art and global advocacy are informed by the different schools of thought and cultures that she continually encounters.
Her artistic evolution sparked an interest in the realm of creation as she discovered mathematics, physics, quantum mechanics and string theory. Her studies solidified her passion for environmentalism when she learned that stars are nothing more than another extension of humanity – that the elements in the bloodstream are the same elements that comprise a star. The interconnection was what Hilton had been searching for her whole life. As Hilton says “We are the same as a star. How beautiful is that?”
Chicago, Illinois, USA – April 4, 2024:(L-R) Arica Hilton, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Engin Türesin, Consul General of Turkey. Image credit: Alzheimer’s Association
Perhaps it was because she was born on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, an important waterway for cross-cultural trade and the birth of great civilizations, that Arica Hilton brings a passion for our earth and its inhabitants to her life as an artist and global advocate. Hilton’s life mission is to use her creativity to bring awareness to threats that endanger the delicate balance of all living things. Today, Hilton is a visual artist, poet and global advocate who travels worldwide to enrich her life and the lives of others.
Located in Chicago’s River North and Bridgeport Art Districts, Hilton Contemporary specializes in modern and contemporary paintings, works on paper, mixed media and sculpture with a special focus on photography. Featuring internationally known artists from United States, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean Region and the Middle East.
“Hilton Contemporary is a strong proponent of the art of Photography and Film. We do not see a divide between the two disciplines as they are the most immediate and indelible way to document the history of cultures, of people, of nations and our planet. Whether it is the history of our film industry that has changed the way we see our world, or artists making history by using FILM, moving or still, Hilton Contemporary seeks to initiate a dialogue, to bring awareness to the contemporary issues of our times.”
About Bedri Baykam
Bedri Baykam is one of Turkey’s internationally most well-known artists and intellectuals. The son of politician Dr. Suphi Baykam and engineer-architect Mutahhar Baykam, he has had international exhibitions since the age of six to the present, in Bern, Geneva, New York, Washington, Paris, London, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Stockholm, San Francisco, Monaco, Cannes, Berlin, Los Angeles to name a few.
Bedri Baykam is one of Turkey’s internationally most well-known artists and intellectuals. Image credit: Hilton Contemporary
He studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris from 1975 to 1980 and got MBA degree. During that time, he also studied drama in L’Actorat, Paris. He lived in California during the years 1980-1987, studied painting and filmmaking at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC, now CCA) in Oakland. He has had several shows in New York, California and Paris. He returned to Turkey in 1987 and has been living in İstanbul since.
He is the co-founder and President of Uluslararası Plastik Sanatlar Derneği (UPSD-Turkish Plastic Arts Association) which is a member of International Association of Art (IAA) –official partner of UNESCO. Baykam was also elected as the World President of the International Association of Art at 18th General Assembly in Plzen in 2015, with his term lasting till February 2023. In 2011, Baykam’s proposal for starting a World Art Day at the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, during the 17th General Assembly of IAA World in Guadalajara/Mexico, was accepted unanimously by the participant countries. Since then, every year a growing number of artists associations in several countries are celebrating “World Art Day”, with several art forms harmoniously blending together. In 2019, UNESCO accepted the proposal brought by Baykam as World President of IAA and World Art Day became one of the International UNESCO Days.
About David Yarrow
Born in Scotland, internationally renowned British fine-art photographer, conservationist and author David Yarrow is one of the foremost photographers in the world. The subjects of his photography include sport stars, world-renowned models, wildlife, indigenous communities and landscapes. He has collaborated with super models such as Cara Delevingne and Cindy Crawford. But his portraits of the natural world are some of Yarrow’s most sought after images by art collectors globally.
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is presented with the Iron Horse Award during a ALS United Chicago fundraiser- with Arica Hilton, David Yarrow, Ryan Poles, Coach Eberflus and Kelly Eberflus. Image credit: Jacob Funk
In addition to his collaborations with supermodels, he has photographed many sports stars such as John McEnroe, Marian Hossa and the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks, and football and soccer legends. Tom Brady wrote the introduction to Yarrow’s monograph. Since 2018, Yarrow’s work has raised over $11m for philanthropic and conservation organizations. In 2021, his collaboration with Crawford raised over $3m for the pediatric cancer care. He is also known for his staged narrative series capturing the American Wild West.
In recent years, Yarrow’s works have consistently sold at Sotheby’s and other auction houses in the six figure range. Today, Yarrow has is considered the best selling photographer in the world.
About the Rita Hayworth Galas
The Legacy and Impact of the Rita Hayworth Gala
Rita Hayworth, an American actress, dancer and producer was diagnosed in 1980 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
To continue her mother’s legacy, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan established the Rita Hayworth galas in Chicago and New York City to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
We continue to gather to honor the legacy of those we have lost and to fight for all of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
This annual fundraiser will bring together philanthropists, advocates, and community leaders to honor the legacy of Hollywood actress, dancer, and producer, Rita Hayworth. Hayworth’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease inspired her daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan to establish the Rita Hayworth Galas.
The first Rita Hayworth Gala was held in New York in 1984. The event expanded to Chicago in 1987.
Over the past four decades, the Chicago gala, combined with its sister event in New York City, have been impactful fundraisers for the Association, generating over $90 million to drive progress toward its vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
“I am in awe of what we’ve accomplished in the past 40 years.
Working with the Alzheimer’s Association has been my life’s work.
I work year-round with them to raise critical funds and awareness.
I have an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude to each and every person who has supported me, the Association and this event over the years.
I hope they share that same sense of accomplishment because it is something to be proud of and to celebrate.”
~ Princess Yasmin Aga Khan,
Honorary Vice Chair, Alzheimer’s Association,
Founder of Rita Hayworth Galas in New York & Chicago
In addition to raising critical funds, the events shed light on a condition that touches the lives of nearly seven million Americans and over 11 million family members and caregivers nationwide.
In Illinois alone, there are more than 250,600 people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia and more than 311,000 Illinoisans providing unpaid care to a loved one with the disease.
August, 2018: Princess Yasmin Aga Khan’s 35 years support draws 6,000 attendees from 68 countries for the Alzheimer’s Association international conference.
“Right now is a very exciting time in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia research.
For the first time, there are treatments on the market that treat the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s, slowing the progression of the disease, and allowing families more time with their loved ones.
While these drugs aren’t cures, they are a major step in advancing the state of Alzheimer’s treatment.
This progress is what we’ve worked so hard for over the years, but until we achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, we have much more work to do, and I know I won’t stop until we get there.”
~ Princess Yasmin Aga Khan,
Honorary Vice Chair, Alzheimer’s Association,
Founder of Rita Hayworth Galas in New York & Chicago
About the 2025 Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala
Princess Yasmin Aga Khan Honorary Vice Chair, Alzheimer’s Association
Rozmin & Ebrahim Valliani Gala Chairs
And the Gala Steering Committee
invite you to join us as we honor the legacy of Rita Hayworth, celebrate the strides made by the Alzheimer’s Association and anticipate a future filled with hope and progress.
May 10, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
The Old Post Office 433 W. Van Buren Street Chicago, IL 60607
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