Princess Eugenie has launched an online art auction to raise funds for a charity providing gardens for NHS spinal injury centres.
The Princess, who recently welcomed baby August, has participated in organising an art auction for Horatio’s Garden, of which she is the patron, to raise funds for the charity. Horatio’s Garden creates and nurtures beautiful gardens within NHS spinal injury centres to support those affected by spinal injuries.
The auction will feature recent paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography from the artists, ranging in price from £300 to £30,000.
Ahead of the online auction Princess Eugenie shared her enthusiasm: “I’m so grateful to all the artists donating works to the Horatio’s Garden Summer Art Auction.
“With their and the buyers’ support, the auction will help ensure the future of the charity’s stunning gardens across the country and will enable work to continue to improve the lives of everyone affected by spinal injury” she added.
The Royal is currently on maternity leave from her job at Mayfair art gallery, Hauser & Wirth, but has participated in organising an art auction for Horatio’s Garden, to raise funds for the charity.
⭐ Our Summer Art Auction is officially open! ⭐ Visit https://t.co/4dA8XqRzsQ to place your bids and look ? for a supportive word from John Illsley, whose work features alongside Tom Hammick’s and Kate Malone’s (image courtesy of Adrian Sassoon, London) @WoolleyWallis pic.twitter.com/EkLtF8DRNg
— Horatio’s Garden Charity (@HoratiosGarden) May 15, 2021
Among the 60 artists who donated works for the auction was painter Keith Jansz, who took to mouth painting after he was paralysed from his shoulder down after a car accident in 1995.
Jansz has donated a beautiful painting depicting an idyllic garden scene for the auction. He spent six months at the National Spinal Injuries Centre following his accident and has been a long-time supported of Horatio’s Garden.
Keith Jansz, who took to mouth painting after he was paralysed from his shoulder down after a car accident in 1995, has contributed to the auction by painting a piece. (IMAGE: Horatio’s Garden).
Speaking about his own personal experience with a spinal injury, he said: “In the past, long term residents of spinal units have been denied this enjoyment and diversion. I clearly remember my first experience of being wheeled out into the sunshine, to hear the birds singing and to smell flowers – after months of confinement on the ward it was transformative.
He went on to say Horatio’s Garden’s work was ‘lifesaving,’ and provided privacy and distraction for patients.
“I’m delighted to be supporting Horatio’s Garden by donating this oil painting of sunflowers and delphiniums in my own garden in Oxfordshire to the Summer Art Auction,” he concluded.
Newlyweds Jack and Princess Eugenie took a carriage ride around Windsor after their nuptials (with thanks to Jamie Harris)
Princess Eugenie has been very open about undergoing spine surgery when she was 12, for treatment of scoliosis.
Her scar was brought to the forefront of public attention on Eugenie’s wedding day to husband Jack Brooksbank. The princess chose a stunning gown with a drop back that showed off her scar. Speaking at the time, Eugenie said it was important to highlight her journey with the condition.
The Queen’s granddaughter is currently patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) which treated her for scoliosis. In 2020, she also became the patron of the Scoliosis Association UK.
