Pete Doherty of The Libertines performs on stage on Day 1 of Victorious Festival at Southsea Seafront on Aug. 24, 2018 in Portsmouth, England.
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
LONDON — Artworks created by some of the U.K.’s leading musicians and senior record executives are to be auctioned in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, a British charity which provides support to young people with cancer.
Pete Doherty, Kasabian‘s Serge Pizzorno, The Kills‘ Alison Mosshart, Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett, Manic Street Preachers‘ Nicky Wire and Blur guitarist Graham Coxon are among the musicians who have donated art works to the online “The Art of Music” auction.
Industry figures who have given pieces include Dominic Walker (director of radio and music, BBC Motion Gallery and Learning), artist manager Fergus Cooper and Warner Chappell Music UK managing director Mike Smith, among others.
“I’ve been involved in both art and music for a long time, so to be able to harness them both for a charity which I’ve also worked with over many years is very special,” said Smith, who sits on the board of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Numbered among the works is a collection of pieces by The KLF’s Jimmy Caulty including a re-appropriated police riot shield (transformed into a smiley face) and a painting by Echo & The Bunnymen guitarist Will Sergeant entitled “The Soothing Serenade of a Million Clocks Ticking.”
Renowned visual artists the Connor Brothers (British artists James Golding and Mike Snelle), Billy Childish and Illuminati Neon are also participating in the fundraiser.
The auction runs to November 11 and bids can be made at givergy.uk/theartofmusic with all proceeds going to the charity.
Co-organizer Ian Neil said he was inspired to put on the event after hearing the personal cancer story of a teenager at this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
“I had noticed over time, that some of the artists and colleagues I have had the pleasure of working in the music industry? made art in their spare time,” said Neil, who works as director of film and TV at Sony Music. He said he had no idea how many artists would donate work to the auction and has been overwhelmed by their generous support.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a unique piece of art,” added Kate Collins, chief executive at Teenage Cancer Trust. “We’re grateful to all the musicians, artists and industry figures who are backing this incredible auction.”
Teenage Cancer Trust was founded in 1989 by Dr. Adrian Whiteson and Myrna Whiteson with the aim of creating a specialist centre of care for teenagers and young adults who receive specialist cancer care. It now funds 28 specialist units across the U.K.
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust concert series, conceived and curated by The Who singer Roger Daltrey, that takes place every March at the Royal Albert Hall. Previous performers include The Who, Paul McCartney, Oasis, Kasabian, The Cure, Jessie J and Florence + The Machine with more than £30 million ($38 million) raised for charity.