MORE THAN 60 of the UK’s leading artists have donated work to be auctioned online to raise vital funds for Horatio’s Garden.

Horatio’s Garden is a charity that supports patients, their loved ones and NHS staff affected by spinal injury through creating therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres.

The first was created in Salisbury at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre.

Olivia Chapple Picture by Katy Griffin.

Dr Olivia Chapple, the chair of trustees at Horatio's Garden in Salisbury

There are five gardens and the charity plans to bring one to each of the 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK.

Artists taking part

It will feature works by renowned British and international artists including Maggi Hambling, Tim Burton, Sean Henry, Vanessa Jackson and Rob and Nick Carter, alongside emerging artists, including Christabel Blackburn, Patrick Morales-Lee, Dawn Beckles and Hitomi Hosono.

Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action: Moon and Sea Oil on Borad - Maggi Hambling

Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action: Moon and Sea Oil on Borad - Maggi Hambling

Many artists have donated works which express the freedom and delight of being in nature and the effect this can have on the human body, both physically and mentally.

The auction features new and recent works including paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography, ranging in price from £300 to £30,000.

Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action: Summers Day - Antonia Fraser

Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action: Summer's Day - Antonia Fraser

Mouth painting artist Keith Jansz, who was paralysed from his shoulders down following a car accident in 1995, has donated a painting that aptly depicts a summer garden scene, with the mass of gorgeous blooms reflecting his signature impressionist style.

He has been a supporter of Horatio’s Garden for many years. Having spent six months in the NSIC adjusting to his injuries with little access to the outside world, Keith recognises the importance of Horatio’s Garden and knows from his own experience that it undoubtedly changes people’s lives for the better.

He said: “The last year has made society acutely aware of the value of such simple pleasures as fresh air and nature. In the past, long term residents of spinal units have been denied this enjoyment and diversion.

"I clearly remember my first experience of being wheeled out into the sunshine, to hear the birds singing and to smell flowers – after months of confinement on the ward it was transformative. But that was before Horatio’s Garden took such experiences to another level.

"Providing privacy and distraction from the overwhelming reality of the ‘new normal’ following a spinal injury, the gardens are lifesaving. Following my spinal injury, I learnt to paint by holding a brush in my mouth. The beauty of nature is a constant inspiration for my work.

" I’m delighted to be supporting Horatio’s Garden by donating this oil painting of sunflowers and delphiniums in my own garden in Oxfordshire to the Summer Art Auction”.

Royal supporter

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie is the Royal Patron of Horatio’s Garden said: “I’m so grateful to all the artists donating works to the Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Auction. With their and the buyers’ support, the auction will help ensure the future of the charity’s stunning gardens across the country and will enable work to continue to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury."

How to bid

The online auction runs from Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, May 30 and will be the first Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Action.

It is being curated in collaboration with auctioneers Woolley and Wallis.

Those artists invited to be part of the auction will receive a maximum of 50 per cent of the sale price, with a minimum of 50 per cent donated to the charity. However, the majority of the artists involved are donating much more, with many donating 100 per cent of their profits.

Bidding opens at 9am on May 15 at the-saleroom.com/en-gb

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