Celebrity art going under the hammer for charity

Quoted from: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

'By Maureen Coleman
27 April 2006

A host of celebrities have put pen and paint to canvas to help raise money for a Northern Irish charity.
Former Boyzone star Stephen Gately, Dr Who's Billie Piper, the Lord Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, actors John Hurt and Neil Morrissey and king of satire Ian Hislop are among the star-studded line-up who have put their painting skills to use for local chairty Wave.
Popular Ulster actor James Nesbitt is the driving force behind Art Wave and encouraged mnay well-known names to draw or paint a picture to be auctioned off this weekend in Belfast.
Other stars who have created works of art for the auction include Bono, Jude Law, Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Williams.
Ian Hislop, of Have I Got News For You Fame, donated a cartoon which was in keeping with his satirical nature, while John Hurt donated a self portrait.
Ken Livingstone provided a colourful reptile and Stephen Gately a pair of pink butterflies.
Billie Piper and Neil Morrisey donated simpler drawings to the auction.
Nesbitt is patron of Wave and is hoping the auction will raise funds to help the charity use the arts as effective therapy for those traumatised as a result of the Troubles.
Paintings by established artists such as Tracye Emin and Damien Hirst will also be auctioned over the weekend.'