Art on a Postcard's First All-Female Charity Auction

On from 27th February, the auction will offer all a chance to bid on itty-bitty works by famous contemporary artists at a starting price of £50...

Art on a Postcard is curating the first all-female art auction of original artworks by female artists, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The auction raises money for charity and will be hosted at London's glamorous women-only AllBrightprivate member's club in Mayfair.

The featured artists have been carefully chosen for their contribution in society and culture, and the artworks up for sale all have one thing in common; they're all just10cm x 15cm.

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The clue is in Art on a Postcard'sname;the artworks must be postcard-sized. In offering 'downsized' artworks, everyone and anyone has the opportunity to afford a piece by a notable artist, as the reserve price for each piece is just £50.

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But while the pieces up for grabs are small, the event has attracted some big art-world names since launching in 2014.

The line-up of artistsincludes Caroline Coon who has exhibited at The Tate and The Saatchi Gallery, and Harmony Hammond, who has recently had her first European solo show at Bermondsey’s White Cube.

Also confirmed are the Guerrilla Girls, Genieve Figgis, Anne Tallentire, Ellen Gronemeyer, Celia Hempton, Katherine Bernhardt, Vanessa Jackson RA, Orkideh Torabi, Yulia Iosilzon and Helen Johnson.

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‘We are known for our Secret Auctions', says Gemma Peppé founder and director of Art on a Postcard. 'However, we want to shout about all the fantastic women taking part in this iteration of Art on a Postcard and show off their wonderful work, so this time you will know who you are bidding on.'

She's referring to previous years, when the mini masterpieces were displayed anonymously, leading to some funny confusions. For example, someone on the hunt for a Damien Hirst splashed out £2,000 on a stick pig drawing that had been submitted by an unknown artist, while a more fortunate buyer went home with a Harland Miller. But there are no hard feelings when it's all in the name of charity.

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Monday 2nd March 2020 will see a packed day of events and talks at AllBright in Mayfair, featuring some of the participating artists, and culminating in a private view and drinks reception.

Panel discussions on 2nd will include Caroline Coon and Vanessa Jackson RA.

But you can see the artworks on display before then as the online auction at Paddle8.com opens on the27th February and will remain open until the 11th March.

The partnership withAllBright is a harmonious one, as thefirst-of-a-kind members’ club for working women is committed to supporting female artists.

Designed by Suzy Hoodless, the five-storey townhouse on Maddox Street boasts various bars and restaurants, co-working spaces, a wellness studio and spa and a rooftop terrace.

Formerly the home of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury auctioneers, the building was fulled restored it to its former glory, with reinstated wall panelling and installing elegant timber-framed glass doors.

The interiors also pay tribute to the surrounding historic art galleries and tailors’ ateliers; layers of luxurious fabric introduce colour, pattern and tailoring-inspired details, while bringing a sense of comfort and tactility.

In the co-working spaces, there are changing installations by contemporary artists, keeping alive the area’s gallery tradition in a fresh, modern way.

The Art on a Postcard auctionwill raise money to eliminate hepatitis C in women’s prisons.

AllBright, 24-26 Maddox St, Mayfair, London W1S 1PP / www.allbrightcollective.com

Lotte Brouwer

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.