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World’s top artists bring hope for seriously ill children and young people across the UK

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.

By Matt James · September 24, 2019

Christies Auction House

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 art will be on display for all to see at a public preview event at Christie’s Education, London on the 5th/6th October.

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.

All proceeds from the Helping Hands art auction will go directly to WellChild. This will help us provide further support to the growing population of children and young people with serious health needs. Where possible WellChild helps these children and young people 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.

The full list of participating artists include: Guy Allen, Adam Ball, Glen Baxter, Charlie Billingham, Mr Bingo, Bill Butcher, Rob & Nick Carter, Gordon Cheung, Eileen Cooper, Adam Dant, Ian Davenport, Cathy de Monchaux, Tracey Emin, Nick Gentry, Antony Gormley, Sean Henry, Jamie Hewlett, Zhang Huan, Patrick Hughes, Gary Hume, Chantal Joffe, Anish Kapoor, Richard Long, David Mach, Gered Mankowitz, Jonathan McCree, Harland Miller, Polly Morgan, Mauro Perucchetti, Marc Quinn, Rankin, Ray Richardson, Sara Shamma, Antonia Showering, David Shrigley, John Stezaker, John Stoddart, John Swannell, Gavin Turk, Rose Wylie and David Yarrow.

Sara Sharma Boat
Sara Shamma, Boat 2019. A unique painting created for WellChild. Sara has based the work on an drawing made by Dylan who is an 11 year old with cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, and global development delay, he is supported by WellChild, and his mother Karen who is an active member of WellChild Family Tree.

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.”