Zero bids at chartity auction

When Ricky Gervais donated one of his own paintings to a charity auction, it was expected to raise a valuable four-figure sum to help cancer sufferers.

But by the time bidding ended this weekend, his work, Sunset Cityscape, had failed to attract a single bid.

Now organisers of the event in Inverness are trying to find another charity which could benefit from the piece.

Gervais donated the work to the Inchmore Gallery’s Big See event, raising money for Maggie’s Caring Cancer Centres. The exhibition showcased artists who had been affected by the disease, and Gervais’s mother died of lung cancer in 2000.

On Saturday, gallery owner Jane Owen Inglis posted on the event’s Facebook page: ‘Well 5pm has been and gone and unfortunately the Ricky Gervais painting didn't sell, HOWEVER, hopefully it will go off to another auction, elsewhere, and raise oodles of cash!’

Before bidding opened, she said of the 1.5x1m acrylic on canvas work: ‘People have certainly been surprised to see a painting by Ricky Gervais.

‘Although it wont be to everybody’s taste there is no doubt it is an interesting and well executed piece of art. Personally I love the way he has painted the sky.

‘It is certainly a fantastic opportunity for someone to own a unique piece of art painted by a celebrity comedian whose work as an artist is rarely available for sale.’

The gallery was accepting offers of £1,000 or more on the painting, but received no bids.

Published: 9 Jul 2012