£4000painting to raise cash for TheMoiraFund
PAINTER Robert Kelsey has donated an artwork worth £4000 to the charity set up in memory of murdered Moira Jones.
Oil canvas Sunset of Arran will be auctioned to raise cash for The Moira Fund, which supports families who have lost a l oved one to murder or manslaughter.
It is the second time the Glasgow School of Art graduate has supported the charity with a donation of his work.
Moira’s mother Bea, who set up the Fund in the wake of her daughter’s death in Queen’s Park, called the painting “beautiful”.
She said: “We were absolutely astounded to have donated to us the wonderful oil painting Sunset over Arran by renowned Paisley artist Robert Kelsey. “It is simply beautiful. “Robert’s paintings are hugely admired, collected and exhibited throughout the country and beyond and are worth a lot of money and we are keen, as he is, to raise as much as possible through its sale to help many distressed families.”
Robert learned his craft from some of Scotland’s top painters, including David Donaldson and Alexander Goudie, and graduated from the GSoA in 1970.
He taught in Port Glasgow High School and then was Principal Teacher of Art at Renfrew High before leaving teaching to paint full time as his work was in high demand.
The charity auction comes as The Moira Fund prepares to host its annual Moira Fund Ladies Lunch.
This year the Perfectly Phenomenal Polka-dot Luncheon is hosted by Elaine C Smith at Grand Central Hotel on Sunday, September 10.
Robert added: “My painting depicts an evening sky over the island of Arran, viewed from near Ardrossan.
“The painting is a symphony of pinks and blues. The foreground area of beach shows reflections of the dramatic sky overhead.
“I enjoyed working on it and there are lots of subtle passages of colour and texture if you get up close and look into the canvas.
“I know it is impossible to predict how paintings will sell in charity auctions but I am hoping to raise a decent sum with this fairly large framed oil painting, which if hung in a gallery would have a price tag of just under £4000.”
Anyone wishing to bid for the painting can contact The Moira Fund and the winner will be announced at the ladies lunch.
Bea added: “If anyone knows a collector who may be interested, or is already an ardent admirer of Robert’s wonderful work, we hope they will contact us at www.themoirafund.org.uk
“We are just delighted at Robert’s generosity and that The Moira Fund and those we help can benefit from his amazing talent.”