Ready, set, bid!
In 2017, Turner Prize winning artist and NYAT patron, Grayson Perry, was joined by a host of international artists at an art auction in London to raise vital funds for the work of the National Youth Arts Trust.
Event partner Vitra’s Clerkenwell showroom was transformed for the evening into an auction house. A collection of 30 stunning and diverse pieces of fine art, prints and photography, curated by Rise Art, were showcased in the auction, including Grayson Perry artwork “02, Six Snapshots of Julie” as the headline live auction piece.
Amongst the featured artists were works by Dali, Picasso, Miro, Chagall and Renoir.
Donated works also included photographer Tommy Clarke’s aerial photograph “St Tropez Boats” and artist Tom Hammick’s “Smoke I (Day)” and “Smoke II (Towards Night)”. Other works on auction were exquisite prints, glass and fine art works by Mat Cahill, Emma Nightingale, Nick Malone, Rebecca Mason, Rosie Emerson, Ellie Vandoorne, Harriet Hoult, Cody Choi, Magnus Gjoen, Louise McNaught, Anna Sudbina, Robert Dunt, Michelle Loa Kum Cheung, Fernando Velazquez, Gina Parr, Mikela Henry-Lowe, Kristjana S. Williams, Victoria Horkan, Niki Hare and Laura Jordan.
Artist Anna Sudbina, who kindly donated artwork “You Make Me Blush” says, “it was an amazing night at Vitra with the National Youth Arts Trust, Rise Art and Grayson Perry. So many beautiful souls, bright smiles, great conversations and art. Living a dream whilst helping young people realise theirs in the Arts. Can it get any better?”
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the inspiring artists who have kindly donated the incredible art collection on auction.
It was an unforgettable evening and the National Youth Arts Trust are thrilled that over £50,000 was raised in aid of the NYAT’s work with disadvantaged young performing artists.
Scott Phillips, Co-Founder of Rise Art, an event partner, said of the auction “NYAT’s charity art event was a fantastic win all around. I’m thrilled that together we raised over £50k to support access to the arts, while shining the light on some incredibly talented artists in the process.”
Guests heard from two beneficiaries of the charity, Ruby and Moses, about the financial support, training and mentoring received from the National Youth Arts Trust, and the difference this has made to their lives.
Moses said, “it was wonderful meeting everyone who is involved with supporting the NYAT. The arts should be accessible for everyone and nobody should be barred because of their background. I love that NYAT and everyone behind it is striving to create an equal playing field. It felt good to share [my story] and it was lovely that it resonated with others.”
NYAT’s trustee Dreda Say Mitchell commented “Hearing Ruby and Moses speak about the impact the Trust has on transforming lives reminded me of how important the work of the Trust is. Guests I spoke to were not only moved by their words but saw the work of the Trust in a new light.”
NYAT’s chair Joanna Kennedy said of the evening, “the range and excellence of the artwork on auction has been incredible – we were delighted to host such an exciting, high-profile auction and are very grateful to the artists, especially Grayson Perry, who have shown such strong support for the National Youth Arts Trust’swork. A very special thank you to our event partners, The Furniture Practice, Rise Art and Vitra without whom the evening would not have been possible.”
The National Youth Arts Trust are passionate about the Arts. NYAT believe that now, more than ever, we need to invest in them. Art and culture have the potential to build bridges, strengthen communities and help us aspire to a fairer, more inclusive and more progressive society.
To do this, we need the Arts to be accessible to all – regardless of family wealth or where you are born. Sadly, many talented young people are prevented from following their passions by a lack of financial support, with the performing arts becoming less and less diverse as a result.
“Artistic and creative talent is handed out equally, and yet the ability to develop and nurture these talents is now dependent almost entirely on personal circumstance” – NYAT’s founder Fiona Laird.
Thanks to the incredible support and generosity received on the night, NYAT will be able to help more talented young people access bursaries, experience live theatre for the first time or be part of our youth theatre projects; experiences that would otherwise be beyond their reach.
Our event photographer Alex creatively captured the evening’s events so you can relive the most memorable moments on our social media pages!
Twitter: @NYAT_GB
Facebook: @NYATGB
Instagram: @nationalyouthartstrust
If you would like to find out more about the artist’s work, head over to Rise Art and Broad Gallery websites to find out more about all the featured artists.
To hear more about the National Youth Arts Trust’s work and to get involved, visit our website www.nationalyouthartstrust.org.uk or contact us on admin@nationalyouthartstrust.org.uk or 07891835589.
Thank you to everyone who made this remarkable event happen, and for joining us to celebrate and support the Arts.
Photo credit: Alexandra Tilling
