‘Sunflowers for Freedom’ Fundraising Auction

We are pleased to host a special auction section to raise funds for the ‘Sunflowers For Freedom’ CIC appeal. The auction will be held at 5 pm, before our Lenkiewicz & Contemporary Art auction on the same evening. 

Featuring local artists such as Brian Pollard, Jackie Gale, Martin Bush, Lou C fused glass, Jo Beer, Rosie Cunningham and Michael Hill, there will also be some original pieces from Ukrainian artists. 

Sunflowers for Freedom are fundraising to provide essential & medical supplies to the people of Ukraine. Some members of the volunteer group have already delivered aid to refugee centres for Ukranian women and children, medical aid for hospitals in Odesa and humanitarian aid for distribution into Ukraine itself. Much of it through aid convoys of the ‘Cornwall and Devon Sending Love to Ukraine’ group based in Callington. 

CIC founders, Steve and Carole Farrar said ‘The inspiration for this art sale came after we received an original picture from Axel and Julia, who gave us permission to fundraise in any way we chose. Our love of art led us to speak to Paul Keen of  Plymouth Auction Rooms who kindly agreed to host the specialist sale in aid of our cause”. 

All funds raised from this specialist auction will go towards the purchase of medical aid, generators, essential heating and cooking items, and help with the logistics of getting those contributions to the people of Ukraine. 

The headline piece is from well-known children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler and children’s author Julia Donaldson. The original painting depicts the much-loved Gruffalo standing next to the mouse holding sunflowers in Ukrainian colours. Signed by both artists, this piece is expected to drum up substantial interest at the auction. 

As well as popular local artists, there will also be original paintings and prints from Ukrainian artists. The pieces are poignant, depicting the struggle of living in wartime and the hope for the future. The stress of war is resulting in many inspirational works.

Ukrainian artist, Tetiana Zhyvotkova, has submitted a painting of a Ukranian cockerel jug. This type of jug became emblematic of Ukraine’s strong resistance against the invading Russian forces after photographer, Elizaveta Servatynska captured an image of a similar jug sitting undamaged on a kitchen cabinet in a high-rise apartment block in March. The building, in Borodyanka, has been badly hit by Russian bombing. 

In Ukrainian folklore, cockerels are believed to have powers of protection. 

You can take part in the bidding by attending the saleroom at 5 pm on Wednesday 5th of April, or by registering to bid online. The auction will be live-streamed via The Saleroom to a worldwide audience, so all pieces will receive a truly global reach. 

For more information on how to bid online, please see our latest blog post. To find out more about the pieces included in the auction, you can visit the Sunflowers For Freedom Facebook page or give our team a call on 01752 254740.