More than 60 UK leading artists have donated works to be auctioned online from Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, May 30 , raise funds for Horatio’s Garden. The charity supports patients, loved ones and NHS staff affected by spinal injury by creating and nurturing accessible, therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres.
In the wake of the charity’s annual Secret Art Sales, the first ‘Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action’ features works by renowned British and international artists including Maggi Hambling, Tim Burton, Sean Henry, Vanessa Jackson and Rob and Nick Carter, and some of the UK’s emerging artists, such as Christabel Blackburn, Patrick Morales-Lee, Dawn Beckles and Hitomi Hosono.
The auction features new and recent works and includes paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography, ranging in price from £300 to £30,000. Many artists have donated works which express the freedom and delight of being in nature and the profoundly curative effect this can have on the human body, both physically and mentally.
The auction is being curated in collaboration with fine art auctioneers Woolley & Wallis. The artists will receive a maximum of 50% of the sale price, with a minimum of 50% donated to the charity. Most of the artists are donating much more, with many donating 100% of their profits.
HRH Princess Eugenie is the Royal Patron of Horatio’s Garden. She said: “I’m grateful to all the artists donating works. With their and the buyers’ support, the auction will help ensure the future of the charity’s stunning gardens across the country and will enable work to continue to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury”.
Artist Maggi Hambling added, “Beautiful gardens, art and music are a heady combination. I trust the auction will help to make this feast for the spirit continue and thrive.”
Mouth painting artist Keith Jansz, who was paralysed from his shoulders down following a car accident in 1995, has donated a painting that aptly depicts a summer garden scene, with the mass of gorgeous blooms reflecting his signature impressionist style.
He has been a supporter of Horatio’s Garden for many years, particularly since the charity opened their Stoke Mandeville garden at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) in 2018.
Having spent six months in the NSIC adjusting to his injuries with little access to the outside world, Keith recognises the importance of Horatio’s Garden and knows from his own experience that it undoubtedly changes people’s lives for the better.
Online bidding for the works featuring in the Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Auction opens at 09:00 on Saturday May 15 at https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb