The 14th Drawing A Line Under Torture art auction involves artworks by Antony Gormley, Quentin Blake, Anish Kapoor and other esteemed names.
Blake, who lived in Hastings for 50 years, has donated “Reading in a Tree” (2022), his pen and ink watercolour on watercolour paper, to the auction, which is expected to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.
It has the potential to raise £300,000 for Freedom from Torture, a British charity supporting survivors of torture.
Silent bidding for the auction will continue until 20:45 on Monday, November 10 at artauction.freedomfromtorture.org
The auction catalogue features almost 70 visual artworks including paintings, etchings, printing, fine art photography, ceramics and sculpture.
Some of the artworks in the auction include pieces from Freya Tewelde and Baud Postma.
Additionally, a piece from Nasrin Parvaz, a torture survivor and former client of the charity, is included in the auction.
Antony Gormley has donated an original drawing, which is expected to sell for £50,000.
An original ceramic sculpture from Edmund de Waal is expected to fetch £25,000.
All auction proceeds will directly fund Freedom from Torture’s services.
In 2024 its rehabilitation services provided 10,553 hours of therapeutic support to survivors.
The charity speaks out against torture and defends the rights of survivors globally, as well as those seeking asylum in the UK.
David Nash said: “Art can be healing in many ways; and for me, supporting the Freedom from Torture art auction is essential.
“I applaud their vital work in helping survivors of torture to heal and feel safe again.
“I can’t think of a more worthwhile organisation right now.”
Antony Gormley said: “I’ve been supporting Freedom from Torture for more than a decade.
“I’m proud to take part in the ‘Drawing A Line Under Torture’, raising funds to help survivors of torture to recover and rebuild their lives.”
Samuel Morton, special events and philanthropy manager at Freedom from Torture, said: “The art auction is such a special fundraising event for us because it has the potential to raise £300,000.
“It’s a win-win because it gives collectors smart and rewarding strategies for purchasing wonderful artworks while showing their support of survivors of torture.
“We’re deeply grateful to every artist or donor of artwork, and to every person who is bidding.”
