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Heart Research UK launches auction of art by biggest stars in music and art

London street artist Bambi is one of several famous artists and stars who are donating their art in aid of research to prevent, treat and cure heart disease.

Bambi joins fellow artist and lead singer of The Cure, Robert Smith, together with a host of some of the biggest names in music and art to support Heart Research UK’s annual ‘anonymous heART project’ fundraiser (#AnonArtProject). Bambi famously burst onto the street art scene in 2011 when her tag appeared by a stencil portrait of Amy Winehouse in a doorway in Camden.

All artworks for the #AnonArtProject will be created on A5 postcards and auctioned off, with all money raised going to Heart Research UK.

Other artists involved include LUAP, who is famous for his paintings and photographs of a giant pink bear. The bear suit follows him to remote locations across the world where he photographs himself in the suit, tackling themes including the climate crisis, mental health and isolation.

Heart disease is something that has been prevalent in LUAP’s family.

LUAP said: “My Grandad was in his late 40’s when he had his first heart attack and retired by his 50’s due to having had several more.

“Home is where the heart is, and that’s where my connection to the disease starts as I am sure it is with many other families. The heart is a symbol of life and of love, and I would do all I can do to help with that.”

2022 marks the fifth year of Heart Research UK’s #AnonArtProject, which will see hundreds of anonymous artworks go under eBay’s virtual hammer. Since 2018, the project has raised over £200,000 for the charity.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “As always, we’re incredibly grateful to all the artists who have contributed and sent us such amazing pieces, and we’d like to send a special thank you to our patrons Robert Smith and Paul Insect for their continued support.”

This year’s #AnonArtProject auction will be live on eBay between 4–13 November. Visit heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart to see the full catalogue of artworks and bid on your favourite pieces.