An inspirational young artist who paints ceramics using her mouth is one of 70 leading and emerging artists donating exclusive works for auction this October (9-26th), to raise money for Horatio’s Garden which creates extraordinary gardens for people after spinal injury in NHS rehabilitation centres.
Emily – who was paralysed at just 13 following a virus that attacked her spinal cord – along with her sister Olivia, make up Wheely Good Ceramics, a pottery studio in Hertfordshire. Olivia makes rustic ceramics that Emily then decorates with beautiful designs by mouth painting. They sisters are passionate supporters of Horatio’s Garden and run ceramic painting sessions in the London & South East garden for people with any level of spinal injury to get creative.
The sisters join legendary illustrator and artist, Quentin Blake as well as Sarah Armstrong-Jones, John Illsley, Patrick Morales-Lee, Lucy Kent, Sophie Ryder, Alastair Barford, Nic Fiddian-Green, Jemma Powell and many others who have generously contributed exquisite works across painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography for the third biannual Horatio’s Garden Art Auction this autumn.
Emily Kilby of Wheely Good Ceramics said: “Horatio’s Garden would have made such a huge difference to us for the 10 months I was in hospital. Having a large family, it wasn’t very nice for them to visit and the only space for us to spend time together was sat around my bed in my ward.
I also would have really appreciated the art workshops following my injury, and that’s why I love to run them with my sister in Horatio’s Garden London & South East. Art allows me to switch off, and by adapting and learning to paint with my mouth, I have regained a hobby that I used to love and thought I could no longer do.”
The exclusive auction is being run in collaboration with, and sponsored by, fine art auctioneers Woolley & Wallis who will be exhibiting the works in their Salisbury showroom alongside the online action which will be run on the-saleroom.com.
Dr Olivia Chapple OBE EMH, founder of Horatio’s Garden said: “We’re so excited to unveil our third Horatio’s Garden Art Auction where you can buy a piece of incredible art and help us change the lives of people going through the most challenging of times. We know the value that art and creativity can have in someone’s rehabilitation.
“We’re so grateful to all the artists, Woolley & Wallis, the-saleroom.com and everyone who kindly supports us in helping to ensure that no-one has to go through a life changing spinal injury and spend months in hospital without being able to use a Horatio’s Garden.”
Click here to discover all the artworks and place your bids
Many of the other artists have links to Horatio’s Garden from running workshops in the gardens or through their own lived experience.
Sarah Armstrong-Jones said: “Art is such an important creative focus in Horatio’s Gardens for patients with spinal injuries. I am really delighted to be able to help the charity to raise vital funds for people facing life-changing injuries.”
Sophie Ryder said: “Horatio’s Garden is one of the loveliest charities I have been involved with. Creating an amazing environment for the wellbeing of patients is such an important part of recovery. Small spaces that are transformed into ‘secret gardens’ for people to sit and enjoy nature. As a child I spent many years in and out of children’s hospitals and the outdoor spaces were square and boring concrete yards. We would have loved a makeover by Horatio’s Garden.”
Mark Coreth said: “I feel passionate about using sculpture to help people, which is why I offer workshops in Horatio’s Garden South West and wished to support this important auction. I chose to offer Flight of Swifts as it gives a message of hope. I have placed three swifts, just like the ones in the auction, in all continents (less Antarctica – that I’m working on!) and they are my prayer flag that people fly together, my prayer for hope. It is for that reason that I feel they are so appropriate for this auction.”
