I just want to reiterate how pleased I was at last night’s Aids Concern Charity event, which was far above my expectations. My donated artwork ‘Rapture, No. 2’ was sold during the Live Auction component.
Sitting at my table along with the other artists, namely Nic Gaunt and Bex Gaunt, whose photograph was auctioned off above their retail price at $44K! (A hearty congratulations to them!) I could see that Bex was a bit teary when hugs were being exchanged.
Then my piece came up to the stage… I was at nerves wondering if anyone would bid. And for what felt like an eternity, someone put in the first reserve bid of $10,000. Seconds passed (which again felt like another eternity…), and someone bid $12K. Suddenly, the bids went higher.. 14K, 16… when Peter Sargant went to the stage and said a few words taking me back in time to when we first met and of the conversations we had. It really touched me. He passed the mic back to MC… and the bids went up, reaching 20K, 22K and finally, 24K! The gavel went down and it was SOLD!
At that moment, I was in disbelief at just what happened. I went to the back room to where the artworks were on display to try to find out who the bidder was, but I don’t think they knew who it was still. The website just indicated ‘Anonymous’.
Towards the end of evening as I was going to the after party, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was someone I knew from long ago. He said rather nonchalantly that he just bought my painting. I was thrilled to know who the owner was; I knew the painting would be going to a good home. Thank you Anonymous! It means a lot to me.
It is the first time in all my years in Hong Kong, that my artwork has been shown and auctioned at such a large charitable event. It is for a cause that I am deeply connected to, meaning AIDS. I grew up during the time when the disease was running rampant in Toronto — exactly at time when I was just coming out. It was a very confusing time for me then. Friends, very young were dying and know one knew what was the cause. It is why I support various AIDS charities. I do not have the financial means to offer money, but this was the best thing to happen where I felt my art made could kind make some kind of difference.
Thank you Aids Concern: Andrew Chidgey, Frankie Fan, Jennifer Chan, and Marco Wong.
For more about Aids Concern in Hong Kong:
https://www.facebook.com/AIDSConcern