Thank goodness our team is used to keeping secrets….! Building on the enormous public interest in the inaugural Secret Art Sale last year, which raised over £5,000 towards the development of the new Heath Robinson Museum, this year’s Sale will be even bigger and better, with over 150 artists participating.
With stylish, beautiful, inspirational, quirky and thought-provoking works already submitted by contributors from established professional artists, illustrators, designers and cartoonists to trainees, amateurs and aspirants, the quality is amazing, the selection unparalleled and the excitement mounting….
So, in case you missed out last year, this is how it works: all the canvases are unsigned and are displayed anonymously throughout the Sale weekend, all at the same price of £40, with the creators’ names only revealed at the end.
Secret Art Sale – the where and when
The Sale is open from 10am-6pm on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November in the Upstairs Gallery at West House, Pinner Memorial Park, Pinner HA5 1AE.
Admission is free, with all proceeds from the artworks sold going towards the upkeep of the new Heath Robinson Museum next to West House. Make a day of it and visit the Museum too over the weekend!
At the Sale, you have the chance to win raffle prizes including a private Director’s Tour for six people at the House of Illustration Ardizzone exhibition, and an original picture of Morph by Peter Lord, renowned co-founder of Aardman Animations. You can also bid in a silent auction for an original work by Children’s Laureate and Guardian cartoonist Chris Riddell.
While you are here, vote for your favourite canvas in the People’s Choice ballot; the winner and runners-up will receive prizes sponsored by the SameDayDoctor organisation. There will also be a special Curator’s Choice prize of £50 from Ann Kopka.
Special thanks go to the main sponsor of the Secret Art Sale, Rawlinson Gold estate agents, who have provided lots of practical support including advertising the Sale on boards around Pinner. Thanks also to Daisy’s in the Park, the café in West House, for providing sponsorship to the Sale launch.
Curator of the Secret Art Sale, Ann Kopka, says: “I’ve been astonished by the response this year: artworks have been flooding in not only from local artists but from artists across the UK. The range and diversity of the artworks is extraordinary and really reflects the creativity, talent and imagination of the artists taking part.”
The team is also thrilled that famous artists contributing include Shanti Panchal, currently exhibiting at Piano Nobile in London; Richard Ollive, animator known for Tetley Tea and Ribenaberries adverts; Robert Duncan, cartoonist born in Pinner; Margaret Ashman, Chairman of the Printmakers’ Council; Ken Pyne, Punch cartoonist; Lucy Davies, who appeared on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2015; and Pete Wane, BAFTA-nominated BBC graphic designer.
Shanti Panchal explains why he is happy to be one of the artists providing a canvass for the Sale: “'I love Heath Robinson's work, it's really hilarious, very witty and brings out the lighter side of our community. He engages the heart and head. That's why I think Heath Robinson stands out. It's high time he had his own place. Lots of the younger generation will learn to cherish and admire his work.”
