Horatio's Garden online art auction raised £50,000

Over 70 of the UK’s leading artists donated works to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden, a charity that nurtures the wellbeing of people after spinal injury in beautiful, vibrant sanctuaries in the heart of NHS spinal injury centres.

Many of the works sold for over the estimated value.

Maggi Hambling's Wave VI (Black and White) sold for £4,300 when it was estimated between £300 and £500 and Sophie Ryder's Ladyhare with Dog sold for £3,200 when it was estimated between £850 and £1,000. Sophie Tea Ascending (Image: Horatio's Garden)

Many other pieces also fetched well over their estimated value, and Dr Olivia Chapple, founder and chair of trustees of Horatio’s Garden, said: "We are truly grateful to all the artists and buyers involved for helping to raise such a fantastic amount of money that will directly benefit the wellbeing of people after spinal injury.

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"We know how much of a difference our regular arts workshops make in the gardens.

"Whether learning new skills or continuing a passion, creating photography, willow weaving or creative writing, people find comfort, friendship and distraction from pain."

Building on the success of its inaugural year in 2021 when the art auction raised over £70,000, the auction was once more in collaboration with and sponsored by fine art auctioneers Woolley and Wallis.

The Horatio’s Garden Online Art Auction 2023 featured paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography.

All proceeds will directly go to supporting the charity’s work.

The first Horatio’s Garden opened in 2012 and the charity’s mission is to grow thriving communities and biodiverse gardens in all 11 UK spinal injury centres.

In each of its gardens, it runs a wide-ranging arts programme which encourages beneficiaries to discover new skills, providing a welcome distraction from life on the ward.

Its eighth garden will open at The Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre Unit in Sheffield in 2024, designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg of Harris Bugg Studio who also created the charity’s show garden which won Best in Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023.