Horatio’s Garden Art Auction raises £50,000!

Works donated by leading British artists including Maggi Hambling and Sir Quentin Blake sell above estimate, raising much needed funds for the charity.

Horatios Garden South West at Salisbury District Hospital
© Clive Nichols

The Horatio’s Garden Online Art Auction 2023 featured paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography, the proceeds of which will directly support the charity’s work. Over 70 of the UK’s leading artists donated works for the auction and many sold for prices above estimates.

Highlights of the sale, conducted by fine art auctioneers Woolley & Wallis include:

  • Maggi Hambling, Wave VI (Black and White), which sold for £4,300 (est: £300 – £500)
  • Sophie Ryder, Ladyhare with Dog, which sold for £3,200 (est: £850 – £1,000)
  • Tim Burton, Character Study, which sold for £2,200 (est: £300 – £500)
  • Sir Quentin Blake, In the Garden, which sold for £825 (est: £100 – £200)
  • Tom Hammick, Dartington Moonbird, which sold for £1,150 (est: £400 – £600)
  • Gareth Cadwallader, Long Wall (Study) which sold for £625 (est: £200 – £300)

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. 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”.

Horatio’s Garden is a UK charity that nurtures wellbeing of people after spinal injury in beautiful, vibrant sanctuaries in the heart of NHS spinal injury centres. 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.

The 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.