On 28th October 2019 at Christie’s Auction House, more than 40 of the biggest names in the contemporary art world will be coming together to donate (and in some cases, create new pieces) of artwork for an exclusive auction in aid of WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children. The art will be on display for all to see at a public preview event at Christie’s Education, London on the 5th/6th October.
All proceeds from the Helping Hands art auction will go directly to WellChild. The charity, which has HRH The Duke of Sussex as its Patron, supports the growing population of children and young people with serious health needs to be cared for at home with their families instead of hospital, through a national network of children’s nurses, home and garden transformation projects and family training and support services.
Working with international artists for over thirty years, creative director Chris Westbrook has carefully curated donations by over 40 of the world’s leading artists including established greats such as Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Rankin, Harland Miller and David Yarrow.
Artists David Mach and Patrick Hughes are creating brand new pieces exclusively for the Auction. Meanwhile, renowned Syrian artist Sara Shamma has created a new painting that incorporates a drawing by a child supported by WellChild.
The auction will also include photography by children and young people supported by WellChild, aimed at shining a light on the reality of life for young people living with serious health needs or disability.
More than 100,000 children and young people are living across the UK with serious health needs. Many spend months, even years in hospital simply because there is no support enabling them to leave. Meanwhile those who are at home face inconsistent and inadequate levels of support.
Colin Dyer, WellChild CEO, said: “WellChild has an ambitious target that every seriously ill child or young person in the UK should have access to the support they need to be able to thrive at home with their families. We are therefore overwhelmed by the support of the art world and the artists donating their fascinating work to the WellChild Helping Hands Auction. Their contributions will enable WellChild to have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children and their families.”
