Fashionista Dame Zandra Rhodes, The Cure’s Robert Smith and Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett are among the famous artists who will go incognito for Leeds charity Heart Research UK’s art auction fundraiser this year.
The anonymous heART project, is back for its eighth consecutive year, offering art lovers a rare chance to own original pieces from world-renowned artists, all while supporting life-saving heart research.
The unique auction invites the public to bid on A5-sized artworks created by a mix of internationally acclaimed and emerging artists. The twist? The identity of each artist remains a mystery until the auction closes, hence the name the anonymous heART project.
Since its launch in 2018, the anonymous heART project has raised over £440,000, with more than 3,000 artworks donated. Every penny goes directly to Heart Research UK, a charity dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart diseases – in the UK, heart disease claims a life every five minutes, and Heart Research UK is tackling this crisis by funding vital research into cardiovascular conditions and supporting a range of preventative initiatives, from workplace and community health checks to grants for local groups across the country.
This year’s auction features pieces from iconic names including Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE ZDI, a celebrated British fashion designer, famous for creating clothing for Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury, and Marc Bolan. Dame Zandra is also the founder of London’s Fashion and Textile Museum.
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Rhodes said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the anonymous heART project. It’s a beautiful initiative that brings together creativity and compassion in the most meaningful way. Knowing that a small piece of art can help fund life-saving heart research is incredibly powerful. I hope my contribution brings joy to its new owner and helps shine a little more colour on the vital work Heart Research UK is doing to protect hearts across the country.”
Robert Smith, lead singer of The Cure, former Siouxsie and The Banshees guitarist, and a passionate Patron of the Heart Research UK who has supported the project since 2019, has also donated art works this year.
He said: “I am very proud to be a Patron of Heart Research UK. Their determined focus on pioneering investigation into the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and their drive to improve the ‘heart health’ of the UK is inspiring.”
Gorillaz co-founder and Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett added: “It’s cool to be part of something where the art does the talking and even cooler when it helps save lives. Big love to Heart Research UK for making creativity count.”
Other anonymous artists this year include Paul Insect, Hannah Flowers, Emily Gravett, Bil Donovan, Julian Opie, Russell Tovey, The London Police, Sue Williams A’Court, Kamwei Fong, and many more.
This year, for the first time ever in anonymous heART project history, the auction will also feature a limited-edition collection of larger artworks that customers can bid on during the auction.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time bidder, the anonymous heART project offers a thrilling opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind piece of art, while helping fund vital research that saves lives.
The auction officially starts on 31st October and will be ongoing for 10 days. Find out more and register your interest here.
Image credits: Jamie Hewlett courtesy Heart Research UK; Zandra Rhodes courtesy Heart Research UK/Simon Emmett; Robert Smith courtesy Bill Ebbeson/Creative Commons
