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20
Oct
What is the value of art? - Henshaws has an answer
Henshaws is posing the question: who decides what art is really worth?
While that might feel like a heavy concept, the delivery is quite simple; the Knaresborough charity has launched an online sale, where all artwork is displayed anonymously.
Paintings by famous artists are sold directly alongside work from students of Henshaws arts programme, all priced at £100.
That means the artwork you buy could be the best bargain you’ve ever bagged – or it could be valued at a whole lot less.
That leads nicely on to the second question: does it really matter, if you love the piece?
Art for art’s sake
Henshaws has been in operation for 180 years, supporting people living with sight loss and a range of disabilities ‘to achieve their ambitions and go beyond expectations’.
This is the second year that the online sale has been in operation, and Henshaws’ president Clare Granger hopes that it’ll prove to be just a successful as the first.
She said:
There are some fantastic pieces and such a varied selection – I think there’s something here for everybody.
Amongst Henshaws’ range of services, the arts and crafts centre has always been at the forefront, encouraging its ‘art-makers’ to tap into their creativity.
Some of the artwork on offer in the Art Anonymous sale has been selected from the centre’s sessions, much to the delight of the chosen contributors.
One of Henshaws’ art-makers who was overjoyed to be chosen for this year’s collection was Oliver Fawcett. He described himself as being ‘happy and proud’ at making the cut.
The 40-year-old Yorkshire resident has anxiety, dyspraxia, dyslexia alongside speech and language difficulties, and has been attending the arts and craft centre since 2017.
Explaining how the centre has helped him, he said:
It’s an amazing place, it changed my life around this place. I do woodwork all the time, I love it here, I love the people.
(L) Oliver Fawcett painting (R) At the Henshaws Beer Fest
His work is side-by-side this year’s pool of contributing professional artists, which includes Shany Hagan, Hugh Miller, Elaine Kazimierczuk, Ann Shrager and Clare herself.
Many of the above sell their artwork for thousands of pounds, but once part of Anonymous Art, any material value is irrelevant.
Visitors to the Henshaws website browsing the sale are faced with a selection of diverse paintings, a colourful array of landscapes, subject studies and abstract artworks - and no way to tell them apart.
Clare explained:
We were so lucky to get some wonderful professional artists on board.
As a painter myself I think what Henshaws does really resonates, as it does with a lot of the other contributors - there’s a synergy there. The art-makers at Henshaws absolutely stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other artists.
It’s a completely inclusive event and it’s so exciting to see people buying paintings simply because they love them.
'Art is for everyone'
People seeking to make a saving on an expensive painting are missing the point; there’s a famous saying: ‘this is art for art’s sake’, and it seems that this is exactly what Henshaws is highlighting.
Clare’s advice? Take each painting at face value, find what you love in in, and see if it appeals to you. It’s as simple as that.
Flora Simpson, Henshaws senior fundraiser added:
We are incredibly proud of our anonymous art sale and everything it represents. Art is at the heart and soul of what we do at the arts and craft centre and our art makers pour their love and passion into every creation.
This exhibition allows their remarkable abilities to shine, free from any judgment based on their disabilities.
Jenna, one the art-makers at Henshaws
So if you’re looking for artwork to hang above the fireplace, or feature in a gallery wall up the stairs, have a browse of Henshaws Art Anonymous sale.
You might end up with a painting that has a familiar name attached. Or maybe the piece you fell in love with was created by one of Henshaws talented students.
The whole point is, there’s value in both. And that’s absolutely priceless.
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