Nearly 150 paintings by Ukrainian artists are going under the hammer at a Perth auction house to raise cash for aid and supplies heading for the war-ravaged country.
Retired Big County art dealer Warwick Brown has been shocked to see the toll being taken on a land where he first established business links nearly 20 years ago.
Mr Brown and his wife Sue, who have opened their Blairgowrie home to refugee Tanya Bashtova, have gifted a wide-ranging collection of artworks to Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine (T&SH).
Now, 147 paintings will be sold on Thursday, October 13 as part of the biggest ever four-day sale held by Iain Smith Auctioneers at their Perth Airport base.
With experienced auctioneer Iain Smith donating his commission to the volunteer-driven T&SH team, every penny of the cash raised will help ease the plight of victims caught-up in the conflict triggered by a Russian invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin in February.
“I started going to Ukraine on holiday in 2002 and that led to doing business there for nearly a decade,” explained Mr Brown.
“I used to supply wholesale to galleries and these are paintings I had accumulated before retiring.
“It’s desperately sad to think that we don’t know if the artists are alive or dead, still in Ukraine or among the countless refugees forced to flee their homeland, particularly from the Kharkiv region.
“I have seen buildings and countryside I know well being destroyed over the last few months.
“Early on in the war, the television news showed the devastation caused when a cruise missile struck the civic headquarters in Kharkiv. “I knew it very well from countless walks through the vast square.
“I had been wondering what I could do to help the people of Ukraine and had seen the great work being done by the T&SH team.
“These paintings are all signed by bona-fide artists, although the tradition is to sign the back of the painting.
“I’d like to think bidders will feel generous in supporting the cause and at the same time get a painting they will enjoy for many years to come.”
Auctioneer Mr Smith admitted it was hard to place an estimate on the value of the collection.
“There are all manner of styles among the 147 paintings and many of them have been framed,” he said.
“Some of them are certainly worth many thousands of pounds while others will attract more modest bids.
“I have been amazed by the work of the volunteers at T&SH and wanted to support the fundraiser.
“The collection will be sold as part of our biggest ever four-day sale, with more than 2800 lots being prepared.”
Ex-military man Kenny Simpson, in tandem with local businessman Morris Leslie, has spearheaded a group which began supporting Ukraine within days of the invasion.
“Warwick’s gesture is amazing,” said principal T&SH co-ordinator Mr Simpson.
“He came down to our warehouse at Errol Airfield, saw what was being done by the 20-plus team of volunteers and said he wanted to offer us his collection to sell.
“Now that I have seen the paintings, I feel some are worthy of a smart London gallery. So I’m sure the sale will generate a tidy sum to help the cause.”
A total of 27 lorries have already made for Ukraine, with another two set to leave Errol Airfield with 52 full palates when transport is secured.
“Ten vans have also taken aid supplies, along with an ambulance, forklift and a defibrillator,” said Mr Simpson.
“The last lorry which left in August contained goods worth £31,000.
“In all, the people and businesses of Tayside and Strathearn have been responsible for support worth more than £600,000.
“In addition to cash which helps pay for fuel, that has come in the form of everything from sleeping bags to clothing, wheelchairs and items for mothers and baby boxes. The generosity we have witnessed has been incredible.”
After reporting a six-week dip in donations, the organisation has witnessed a resumption of support as the brutal conflict has returned to the news bulletins.
“Donations had turned from a flood to a trickle, especially with the school holidays, but the support is back,” noted Mr Simpson.
“With winter now on the horizon there is a desperate need for good quality, warm clothing, duvets, blankets, boots, wellingtons, canned food, toiletries and medicines.”
*The special sale of Ukrainian paintings gets under way at Iain Smith Auctioneers at 2pm on Thursday, October 13, with viewings from Monday. Bidders can also register and follow the sale on the company’s website and at easyliveauction.com
Collection points for T&SH have been set-up across the region and full details are available at www.tash4ukraine.weebly.com
