Heart Research UK raises £53,000 with mystery art auction
National charity Heart Research UK has smashed it, raising a whopping £53,000 from their ‘anonymous heART project’. Nearly 500 pieces of original A5 artwork by famous names went under the hammer on eBay between 6th-15th November — with a twist. The artists stayed anonymous until the auction closed.
Rock legend Robert Smith’s masterpiece tops the auction
Among the star-studded contributors were Robert Smith from The Cure, Ralph Steadman, Pejac, Joe Lycett, and Ashley Jackson. The highlight? Robert Smith’s original painting, I will kiss you forever…, which soared to an impressive £5,100. The piece features lyrics from The Cure’s ‘The Same Deep Water As You’ – “on nights like this.”
The runner-up was Spanish artist Pejac’s Bottomless Pit, fetching a healthy £1,793. In total, all 497 artworks were snapped up, flooding Heart Research UK’s coffers to help their vital fight against heart disease.
Anonymous heART project hits £110,000 in three years
Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has raised over £110,000 from more than 1,300 sold pieces. The charity uses the cash to drive pioneering research aimed at preventing, treating, and curing heart disease.
Heartfelt thanks from Heart Research UK boss
“The dust has finally started to settle from 2020’s anonymous heART project, and what a journey it has been. Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of the artists and the people bidding.”
“We’ve smashed our fundraising target, so we’d like to thank everyone who donated their time and effort. The project gives supporters a chance to own a mini-masterpiece while backing groundbreaking medical research. It’s making high-class art available to all, and we’re thrilled every piece has found a new home!”
Fancy a piece of the action? Head over to heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart/ to register interest for next year’s auction.
