art for living....

Art for life at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital held a charity auction on 20 May at the Castle Hotel. Titled 'art on the block', nearly 80 pieces of original work were sold, raising a staggering 5200gbp or so. Well done to Bronwen Gwillim and her team; this - a herculean task by any standard - was carried out well.

The idea of producing any type of artwork on A5 wooden blocks, measuring 21cm x 16cm, must be unique. Such was their unusual appeal, all sold within an hour. I was outbid on 3 pieces, but happily so; it would've raised more for the project. I met John Alder, a local sculptor whose contribution, plaster of Paris bananas mounted on a block, sold quickly. John's work includes 'fruit boxes' using similar materials; these I like very much. I had seen his exhibitions before, at the Royal West of England Academy Bristol or the Brewhouse in Taunton, but that was a long time ago. I was pleased he introduced himself. I couldn't make the preview evening to meet other contributors.

At 25 gbp, entry to the auction was expensive but worth it. Apparently, the Castle Hotel hosted the evening free of charge. Disappointingly, the art for life website carried no links to the hotel or any other sponsors or contributors'. This undeservedly gave it a 'small town event' feel. Using a 'dung' colour pallette, the website is hardly inspirational. Glaring errors would have my usabilty engineer colleague shaking her head. I noticed web copy closely following print ....hmmm....

Anyway, this doesn't take away from it being a successful and innovative way of fundraising. Well done all for raising over 5k. As Art for Life costs over 50k gbp to run per year, you may wonder where the the other 45k + gbp comes from. Yes, you guessed it - you and me. It's taxpayer's money. At a time when the NHS is refusing treatment for cancer patients on cost grounds, seems it's art...or life.