Cornwall Hospice Care Art Auction opens early

The Cornwall Hospice Care fundraiser has attracted more than 100 lots and was due to get underway on March 14 and includes items such as a bust of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.

However, interest around the bust and a work by Ken Howard OBE RA has prompted the healthcare charity to start receiving bids immediately.

Event organiser, Julie Treneer, said: “We’ve been delighted at the response and the interest being shown in Penny Lally’s cast bronze bust of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

“We realised we needed to react quickly so the auction site is now live.

"We’re adding items all the time thanks to the generosity of Cornish artists and our supporters. There’s something for everyone and the suggested sale prices range from £10 to £5,000.”

To view the auction site visit, www.jumblebee.co.uk/chcartauction. This site will remain open until the closing date of March 21.

One of the latest items to be listed is a painting of Portloe, by the late Audrey Wheeler, donated by her friend, Yvonne Fuller, from St Mawes.

She said: “When I first came to live in Cornwall in 1994, I met Audrey, a wonderful lady who was deeply involved in the founding of Cornwall Hospice Care. 

"She’d been a district nurse based in Portholland, but was originally trained at St Thomas’s in London where she worked throughout the war.

"While there as a ward sister, Cicely Saunders became one of her junior nurses.  She sought Audrey’s permission to give extra care to patients nearing the end of their lives, and Audrey, being both kind and intelligent, gave her every encouragement. 

"Cicely Saunders went on to found the Hospice movement and when, years later, she went to receive her Damehood at Buckingham Palace it was Audrey she invited to accompany her.”

“Audrey was also a very accomplished water colour painter whose work received considerable praise from visiting tutors.  I own two of her paintings and I think it’s most appropriate that Cornwall Hospice Care has one of them in the auction to help raise funds for the charity’s two hospices."

Audrey Wheeler’s painting, donated by Yvonne Fuller

Another new edition to the charity art auction comes from Tom Leaper who’s donated a sculpture entitled ‘The Madonna’ and made of Jesmonite.

Tom has lived on the edge of the moors in West Penwith for about 40 years and feels deeply rooted in its landscape and community.

His work varies from intimate painting and sculptures to large installations, fountains, landscape design and public projects.

Julie Treneer said: “We’re very honoured that Tom has donated The Madonna for our auction. It’s particularly relevant as he was involved with the original design and build of the St Julia’s Hospice garden.”

You can find out more on the charity’s website here www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/events/artauction2021.