Leeds-based national charity national charity Heart Research UK has raised £53,000 with their ‘anonymous heART project’, auctioning unique anonymous artworks by a host of internationally acclaimed artists and celebs
Almost 500 pieces of original A5 artwork, created by huge names including Robert Smith (The Cure), Ralph Steadman, Pejac, Joe Lycett and Ashley Jackson were auctioned on eBay between the 6th – 15th November.
All of the pieces were sold anonymously, and though a full list of contributors was available, the artist of each piece has been kept a secret, only being revealed to winning bidders now the auction is over.
When the virtual hammer came down, all 497 of the pieces found new homes, raising tens of thousands of pounds for Heart Research UK’s life-saving work.
The bestselling piece was an original painting by Robert Smith, iconic rock star and frontman of The Cure, which commanded a stunning £5,100 in the online auction.
The piece, entitled “I will kiss you forever…” featured the lyrics “on nights like this”, taken from The Cure’s hit song ‘The Same Deep Water As You.’
The second highest seller was by internationally-acclaimed Spanish painter Pejac, piece titled ‘Bottomless pit’ fetching a whopping £1,793.
Founded in Leeds in 1967, Heart Research UK has a long history of supporting ground-breaking medical research. Proud to be based in Yorkshire, they have funded over £25m of research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease, the nation’s single biggest killer.
Now in its third year, the anonymous heART project has seen over 1,300 artworks sold, raising over £110,000 for Heart Research UK’s pioneering research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “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 would all like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated their time and efforts to the campaign.
“At Heart Research UK, we’re always looking for fun and interesting ways to raise money. The anonymous heART project allows people to support ground-breaking medical research but also get a little something back, owning their own mini-masterpieces.
“What makes this project so special is that everyone has the chance to own a piece of iconic art. It really is making high class art available to all, and we’re thrilled all 497 pieces have found a new home!”
To find out more and to register your interest in next year’s anonymous heART project, please visit heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart/
