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Some of the world’s greatest animation and TV talents, including Oscar-winner Nick Park, have come together to donate unique artwork and signed memorabilia to an online auction in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.
More than 30 exclusive, original or limited edition artworks have been donated by 20-plus of the world’s most-renowned animation artists.
Among the collection are work by pioneering animator Ray Harryhausen (Jason & The Argonauts; Clash of the Titans), Pixar Animation Studio’s John Lasseter (Toy Story, Cars, Cars 2,) and Pete Docter (Up, Monsters Inc ), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit animation director and character designer Richard Williams.
Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, patron of The Grand Appeal, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of artist and animation friends from around the world who have kindly created and donated such beautiful pieces of signed artwork in support of the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal Animated Art Auction.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for animation fans, and the public alike, to acquire art and animation treasures so rarely seen at auction. I’m quite tempted by a few of the pieces myself!
“Most importantly, this auction will raise funds for a charity that supports some of animation’s biggest fans – children – and I’m delighted to contribute to an auction that will benefit and raise important funds for young patients across Bristol and the South West.”
High bids are expected for:
- A Nick Park signed and hand painted watercolour featuring characters Wallace and Feather’s Mcgraw. Created exclusively for this auction, the image shows Wallace offering the penguin some cheese with handwritten caption “More Cheese Penguin?”
- A signed and hand drawn ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit” by award-winning director and original character designer Richard Williams featuring Jessica Rabbit, Roger Rabbit and baby Herman which has been exclusively created for this auction
- A Peter Lord signed film poster for Aardman’s forthcoming feature film The Pirates! In an Adventure With Scientists (starring Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek and David Tennant)
- A signed, original pencil sketch of cult character Morph by creator Peter Lord and co-founder of Aardman Animations – created exclusively for the auction
- A John Lasseter signed copy of To infinity and Beyond: The Story of Pixar Animation Studios, complete with a hand-drawn Buzz Lightyear doodle on the inside cover
- A Ray Harryhausen signed photograph and poster. The animation and special effects legend no longer signs autographs but has made a rare exception for the charity auction
- A unique and original, signed pastel drawing by Pixar Animation Studios director Pete Docter, featuring the much-loved character Mr Frederickson from the motion picture Up.
The auction will be hosted on eBay until November 10. Grand Appeal director Nicola Masters said: “We are so grateful to all of the artists who’ve donated work to this auction and to Nick and his team for pulling this wonderful material together.
“The money raised will be used to fund specialist, state-of-the-art equipment for the Bristol Children’s Hospital’s cardiac unit, which looks after young patients from across the South West.”
For more information on the artworks and to take part in the auction, visit www.grandappeal.org.uk/auction
