Famous artists such as Sarah Graham and Ralph Steadman are joined by comedian Joe Lycett in making one-of-a-kind masterpieces for an anonymous charity fundraiser.
Heart Research UK’s anonymous heART project sees hundreds of anonymous artworks go under eBay’s virtual hammer and has so far raised over £250,000 for pioneering research.
This year’s project is the sixth annual one and takes place between the 3rd – 12th November.
How is it anonymous? Though the list of artists will be available to all bidders, the artist of each individual piece will be kept anonymous until the auction is over.
Sarah Graham, famous for her paintings of Chupa Chups and known from the show ‘Britain’s Best Young Artist’, works with many different charities and has supported the anonymous heART project for several years.
She said: “I wanted to create my first proper oil painting for the project this year, as I’ve supported it for the last few years now and always done little sketch pieces.
“I hope that by investing more creatively it attracts even more bidders! Heart Research UK helps save lives, anything I can do to support them I will.”
Joining her is world-famous cartoonist Ralph Steadman, most known for his work with Hunter S. Thompson creating the cover art for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Ralph said: “It is always a pleasure to contribute to this fundraising event. I am so pleased that people appreciate and bid on the mess that I make and want to take home my blots and splats.
“Please keep supporting this fantastic cause that can really make a difference to so many people, now and in the future.”
An art piece by comedian and eye-catching painter Joe Lycett is also available to bid on.
He said: “It’s always an honour to be part of the anonymous heART project, an ingenious way of supporting essential heart research whilst making and celebrating weird art. They’re doing the work of angels.”
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “The anonymous heART project remains one of our most important fundraisers each year. As always, we’re incredibly grateful to the artists for donating their time and effort, and to everyone else who’s bidding on these amazing pieces.
“As a charity, we rely heavily on donations from the public. Every five minutes, someone dies from heart diseases in the UK, so your help is needed more than ever. We won’t stop until there are no more deaths from heart diseases.”
This year’s auction is now live on eBay (3rd – 12th of November) and you can bid on your favourite piece here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/heartresearchuk_shop