A host of celebrities, including comedian Joe Lycett, pop legend Toyah Willcox and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh MBE, have joined some of the UK’s foremost contemporary artists in donating more than 100 pieces of artwork to an auction in aid of the mental health charity Cornwall Mind.
The ‘who’s who’ of artists supporting the event includes acclaimed sculptor Tim Shaw RA, abstract artist Anthony Frost, Philip Lyons, Alasdair Lindsay, Emma McClure and Gary Long.
The auction is currently live and will run until Sunday, April 25.
The auction theme of “What comes to Mind when you think of Cornwall?’ has led to a wide range of images.
Lycett has donated his portrait of Martin Clunes, singer Kim Wilde has painted a scene from a family surf holiday, while BAFTA-winning actress Katherine Parkinson has produced two memorable portraits of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
Katherine, who starred in the hit TV series The IT Crowd and Doc Martin, was the inspiration behind the auction. She said: “I love Cornwall and am so proud to have Cornish DNA, and know that art has a valuable role in mental health.”
Poldark actress Lily Dodsworth-Evans, who donated a painting of St Ives harbour, said: “More than ever with the last year spent in lockdown and life on standstill, I’ve found myself relying on art as a way of releasing stress and staying creative.”
Other donors include artist Lucy Davies, ceramicist Paul Jackson, printmaker Lou Tonkin, chef Jack Stein, Fake or Fortune presenter Philip Mould OBE and actor and comedian Kernow King/Edward Rowe.
The online auction also features stunning photographs, ceramics, collages, a wood carving, printwork and even a first edition yellow-striped teapot from design icon Cornishware, hand painted and donated by owner Karina Rickards.
With donations from explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison, sailor Pete Goss and pro surfer Alan Stokes to actor Bill Ward and singer Molly Hocking, the auction promises to have something for everyone.
Artist John Dyer, whose Falmouth gallery has sponsored the event, said: “I jumped at the idea to support this as there is such a huge need for more mental health support in Cornwall.
“The pandemic has created not only a physical health emergency but a mental health crisis too. Cornwall Mind is literally a lifeline for people, and I have seen many people I know and love benefit from mental health support.”
All profits raised from the online auction will directly fund Cornwall Mind’s vital mental health wellbeing services in the county.
Cornwall Mind’s CEO, Paul Reeve, said: “The Art Auction for Cornwall Mind is a fantastic opportunity to challenge the stigma of mental illness and raise the profile of Cornwall and Cornwall Mind. We have been very lucky to have the support of some very generous and talented people from the artistic community and from people who have a public profile in other areas. So, dig deep and make your walls and someone else’s world a brighter place.”
To view all the paintings go to https://www.cornwallmind.auction/