The Turner Prize winner and artist behind the Angel of the North, revered for his creations that have been exhibited across the world, has donated this carbon and casein on paper piece, Cover II (top).[[{"fid":"290751","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards","title":"Lot 27_ Laurence Edwards","style":"float: right;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
Artists from or with links to East Anglia such as John Virtue, Laurence Edwards (Lot 27 - pctured right), Colin Self and Lucy Loveheart, among countless others, have donated striking pieces to help EACH at a time when the charity has never needed more support.
The good cause recently benefited from Griff Rhys Jones’s mega Celebrity Bottom Drawer fundraiser and will hope the success of artwork in that online auction – a piece by Tracey Emin was the best-performing lot of all, raising £23,000 – is a sign of things to come in this one.
EACH was expecting a £2.2 million loss in funding over the next 12 months as a result of disruption to fundraising activities and its shops – a third of the total it needs to support families across the region – before this third lockdown.
The auction, sponsored by Martin-Redman Partners, will get under way on Thursday, 25 February, with bidding closing at noon on Saturday, 6 March. It is being hosted by Cambridge-based auction house Cheffins at www.cheffins.co.uk/fine-art and online auction experts The Saleroom are generously donating their services free of charge. The works of donated art have been acquired by Norfolk-based art consultant Davina Barber.
Bronte Graver, EACH Major Supporter Fundraiser, said: “We are thrilled at so many artists getting involved and the great range of work available, and hope art collectors will be excited at the prospect of what’s on offer. A public display of these works had been planned for early last year, but had to be cancelled for obvious reasons. The impact of all the various restrictions throughout 2020 has been huge on EACH, so we’re delighted to be getting this auction up and running. Money raised will help provide services like art therapy. Many of the children we support are unable to communicate verbally or struggle to express the complex emotions they’re going through, but specialist art therapy can help them find a voice and manage their feelings. A big thank you to Martin-Redman Partners, Cheffins and The Saleroom for helping to make this auction happen, as well as Davina Barber, whose support in securing the artwork we couldn’t have done without.”
Martin Millard, Cheffins Director, said: “We’re delighted to be able to host this important auction online on behalf of EACH. Featuring works by some of the leading names in contemporary art, this sale ought to go some way to raise funds for this important cause. As coronavirus has thwarted plans for any live auctions currently, online sales have become increasingly regular and we’ve been pleased to see the high levels of take up from both clients old and new for this new format.”
To download a catalogue visit www.each.org.uk/exclusive-art-auction or for more information contact Bronte on 07714 600574, or at bronte.graver@each.org.uk.