An auction of works donated by Northland artists has raised more than $20,000 for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
Organiser Julia Reinholt, owner of Kerikeri gallery Kaan Zamaan, was delighted with the turnout at Sunday's auction and the amount raised, saying it was twice as much as she'd expected given the economic
downturn.
She was, however, not surprised by the level of interest. "Everyone's been touched by the earthquake," Ms Reinholt said.
Seventy-five works were sold for a total of $20,290.
Ms Reinholt estimated 200 people had crowded into her Kerikeri Rd gallery for the auction on Sunday afternoon, but many more had filed through the gallery in the days before to check out the works or place silent bids.
Among the donated artworks were several painted especially for the auction, and seven ceramic pieces by former Russell artist Dulcie Draper rescued from a gallery in Lyttelton which collapsed on February 22. They had been part of an exhibition of 15 pieces but the rest were destroyed.
Ms Reinholt said she was hugely grateful to the artists. Artworks were still coming in on the morning of the auction, and one Kerikeri sculptor had run out of pieces so gave a substantial cash donation instead. She also praised volunteers who had helped make the day a success.
The auction was led by Kerikeri artist and retired health professional Joan Honeyfield, after an opening by art critic Mike Nettmann. Only a handful of artworks had reserves.
The proceeds will go to the Red Cross appeal.
Donated art is also being sold by silent auction at the Copthorne Hotel in Waitangi all this week. Proceeds from that event will be split between the Salvation Army and Red Cross earthquake appeals.
Examples of some of the prices fetched:
- Pohutukawa, a watercolour by David Barker of Opito Bay, $3250.
- What is in, what is out, a limited edition photographic print from 1960s London, by Paihia's Frank Habicht, $890.
- A painting on planks based on a photo of dust rising from Christchurch after the quake, by Hannah Cleghorn, of Kerikeri, $890.
- Fonterra shareholders, a pen and ink drawing by German children's book illustrator and Russell resident Helme Heine, $800.
- Kissed by the tide, by Jayne Sprott, of Kerikeri, $560.
- For Christchurch, by Keri Molloy, of Kerikeri, $460.
- A nude painted in 1954 by the late Bruno Mertens of Takou Bay, $410.
