Lonely Dog art auction honours Queenstown woman - Proceeds to Nepalese kids
The legacy of a Queenstown woman with a heart for underprivileged Nepalese kids, who left almost $1million in rare collectable Queenstown artworks to locally based Orphans Aid International, is being honoured this month.
Lynn Baxter, whose passion for Nepalese children was a catalyst to Orphans Aid launching its work in Nepal, passed away suddenly in 2008 soon after visiting Nepal with Orphans Aid CEO Sue van Schreven to witness the need firsthand. “She was passionate about the Nepalese people and was building an art collection that she believed would one day be used to help children in the future,” Sue says.
Her rare, prized collection, now valued at almost $1 million, was donated to Orphans Aid when she died and features beautiful bronzes, paintings and books from long-time, celebrated Queenstown artist Ivan Clarke’s high-profile, whimsical Lonely Dog fantastical wonders and works.
The pieces – 51 items, some with multiple pieces being sold as sets, are now for sale. Seven items went on sale via a silent online auction last Thursday (22 October) – details are on the Orphans Aid website - www.orphansaid.nz/art with bidding closing on Saturday, 31 October. Sue says that even in the first 24 hours there had been a lot of views which was encouraging.
Some of the items and collection can be viewed in person at Invernui Art Gallery in Invercargill with the owners offering to exhibit them free of commission or charge to aid the cause.
“We’re really hoping we will raise what the artwork is worth. One hundred percent of the sale proceeds will go to Orphans Aid International, supporting our Nepal Appeal.”
Sue says they’re especially motivated now to sell the art when the need is greatest in Nepal after the devastation of the massive flash floods there two months ago.
“There are currently newly orphaned children living in hotels as emergency accommodation after the massive landslide and flooding. There are even still some villages they haven’t yet been able to get to,” Sue says. Sadly, there is also a very real risk of trafficking and abuse and she says they’re connecting with local groups that have known track records to find workable solutions for kids without homes and family.
“Two of our people just landed in Nepal last week and made their way to the worst hit areas by four-wheel drive over broken roads into areas that have suffered great loss. We’re hoping through them to get some guidance as to how we can give some long-term help to these children,” she says. “They’ll talk to local experts and see how we can partner with them to help.
“What Lynn did was a really beautiful thing, building up her Lonely Dog art collection to help the children in that part of the world that she was so passionate about.
“The timing of the auction is just right as there are massive needs there right now,” Sue says.
“This is a unique opportunity like nothing we’ve ever done before and it’s all thanks to Lynn as we couldn’t do our work there without this extremely generous gesture.”
