A total of 50 wooden sculptures by Bridlington artist Helen Skelton will go under the hammer at Duggleby Stephenson Auction House in Scarborough today to raise money for Marie Curie.
Eighty Nine year old Helen Skelton died in February 2023, she had been a long-time supporter of Marie Curie after they cared for her eldest daughter who died from cancer in 2005. It was this that motivated her to leave her artwork to the charity.
Mrs Skelton, who lived in Bridlington, worked as a secretary and took up sculpting in the 1980s, initially as a hobby. She undertook a couple of courses and soon discovered a talent and love for the medium.
After she retired, she began taking on commissions, making pieces for friends and took part in a number of exhibitions, including a one-woman show at Sewerby Hall, and an open exhibition at the Ferens Gallery in Hull, where her ‘Mother and Child’ piece won the sculpture prize.
Helen’s daughter Emma Maddison said:
“Mum was very modest and humble about her work, but there are some lovely pieces in this collection.
“She was very supportive of Marie Curie, and it would have delighted her to know her work was raising money for them.”
The sculptures are abstract-pieces, some of them inspired by plants, animals or people. They include a fabulous vase of flowers, intricately carved wall-hangings and a still-life fruit bowl.
They vary from small tabletop size to larger, heavier pieces with the biggest, a wall hanging piece, standing at 6ft by 2ft.
Charlotte Revill, Marie Curie legacy and in memory lead for Yorkshire, said:
“It’s quite an unusual gift for us but they are all absolutely beautiful so we were delighted to receive them from the family. We hope people will support the auction.
“Last year, Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare assistants provided direct support to more than 44,200 people across the UK. Any gift we receive, no matter the size, is hugely appreciated as more than a quarter of all people cared for by Marie Curie is thanks to gifts in Wills.”
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity and is there for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, including Alzheimer’s (or another form of dementia), heart, liver or kidney disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and advanced cancer.
The auction starts at 11am and the full collection of Helen's work being auctioned can be seen at https://www.davidduggleby.com/auctions/050420242272/DecorativeAntiquesCollectors.aspx?search=helen%20skelton
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