Sir Daniel Winn’s Art Fuels $100K+ for Jane Seymour’s Charity Gala

MALIBU, Calif. – May 07, 2026 – The oceanfront grounds of Jane Seymour's private Malibu estate provided a stunning backdrop for an evening of profound generosity, where the worlds of art, film, and philanthropy converged. At the Open Hearts Foundation's 16th Annual Open Hearts, Healing Arts Gala on April 18, two donated works by contemporary artist Sir Daniel Winn ignited a bidding war, ultimately raising a combined $70,000 for the charity.

The artist's contributions, however, did not stop there. Combined with a sponsored table and other contributions from his guests, the total giving attributed to Winn for the evening surpassed an impressive $100,000. This substantial sum formed a significant part of the more than $600,000 raised by the foundation over the weekend, funds earmarked to support nonprofits that use the arts to heal and empower communities facing hardship.

The Artist's Journey: A Life Mirrored in Art

Before the auction of his pieces began, attendees were given a powerful glimpse into the life that shapes Sir Daniel Winn’s art and his commitment to giving. The gala featured a screening of the trailer for “Chrysalis,” Winn’s forthcoming autobiographical film. The film chronicles his harrowing escape from war-torn Vietnam as a child refugee in 1975 and the subsequent journey of rebuilding his life in the United States.

Taking the stage, Winn connected the film's themes of loss, reinvention, and the kindness of strangers to the core mission of the organization he was there to support. He noted how the Open Hearts Foundation’s motto, “Empowering those who turn adversity into possibility,” directly mirrored his own life experience. The film, which stars veteran actress Kieu Chinh and is directed by J. Robert Schulz, is set to screen at the prestigious Cannes Marché du Film, bringing his story to an international audience.

“Jane has been a dear friend for years, and what she's built with Open Hearts is the real thing,” Winn shared. “These children get handed a chance — the same kind of chance strangers once gave me.”

This personal history is the wellspring for his artistic philosophy, “Existential Surrealism,” which uses surrealist imagery to explore the complexities of human existence. It is a journey that saw him pivot from medical school to a life dedicated to art, eventually founding the Winn Slavin Fine Art gallery in Beverly Hills and earning a knighthood in 2018 for his extensive philanthropic work.

The Tangible Impact of Generosity

The financial centerpiece of the evening’s live auction was Winn’s striking bronze-and-lucite sculpture, “Metamorph.” The 50-inch-tall piece captivated bidders, with the gavel finally falling at a remarkable $55,000. A second, unique piece—an original oil painting on a Louis XIII Cognac coffret and crystal glass set—added another $15,000 to the total. All proceeds from the sales went directly to the Open Hearts Foundation.

This event highlights a significant trend in high-net-worth philanthropy, where high-value artworks serve as powerful instruments for social good. Major auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's have increasingly facilitated charity auctions, transforming fine art into critical funding for non-profits. The sale of Winn’s work demonstrates how a single artist's generosity can translate into substantial, tangible support for vital community programs.

The funds raised are not abstract figures; they are destined for the foundation’s grantee-partners, enabling them to expand access to creative pathways for healing. For the Open Hearts Foundation, this means providing more grants to organizations that leverage art and creativity to address mental health and well-being in vulnerable communities.

A Foundation Built on Resilience and Creativity

Founded in 2010 by actress and artist Jane Seymour, the Open Hearts Foundation has a legacy rooted in personal history and a clear mission. Seymour was inspired by her mother, Mieke Frankenberg, who survived a Japanese internment camp during World War II and found purpose by helping others in the face of extreme adversity. This ethos is codified in the “Open Hearts Philosophy,” which champions compassion, resilience, and action.

“Daniel's story embodies the Open Hearts philosophy,” Seymour stated during the gala. “He arrived in this country as a child with nothing and has spent his life living with an open heart and using his talents to give back to others. To have him join us and donate his art is exactly the kind of generosity this Foundation was built to celebrate.”

To date, the foundation has awarded more than $1.9 million in grants nationwide. The gala not only raises funds but also honors the work of its partners. This year’s event celebrated Andrea and Stephen Ingle of Creative Kids in El Paso, Texas, and Laurie Meadoff of the CityKids Foundation in New York City, both of whom lead organizations that exemplify the foundation’s mission. The spirit of giving was palpable as the foundation surprised both honorees with additional $15,000 grants during the weekend.

The cycle of mentorship and philanthropy was also evident in the silent auction, which featured “Enchanted,” an oil on canvas by TAO, an artist and mentee of Sir Daniel Winn. It serves as a potent symbol of how the spirit of giving, once cultivated, continues to grow and inspire the next generation of artists and philanthropists, ensuring the work of healing through art endures.