Bollington artist to auction work in Macclesfield for 'SAVE DANES MOSS'
A local artist will exhibit their work, and sell it to help preserve nature.
Bollington resident Ben Darlington - known in art circles at Benmo - will be auctioning off his local landscape paintings later this month.
Buy Art: Save Danes Moss is an exhibition and sale of artwork in aid of the campaign to 'SAVE DANES MOSS', the grassroots campaign to prevent almost 1000 homes being built on the fringes of a nature reserve in South Macclesfield.
The artwork will be sold in a sealed-bid style auction from Tuesday 26 September, where a launch evening will be held.
"My hope is that we will get some very generous bids, but also this way we will sell everything," said Ben.
"We want to make the biggest donation possible, so we hope that this format will guarantee we sell all the paintings.
"At the end of the three-week bidding period, whoever has the highest bid will win the painting."
About a year ago, Ben became unwell with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and painting has become a big part of his route to recovery. The work in the auction is a cross-section of paintings from across the year and his development as an artist.
The former garden designer and father-of-one will be contributing 25 pieces, and fellow Macclesfield artist Sue Asbury will also be selling five pieces towards the cause.
Lino printer Pauline Meade, who is the partner of a former pioneer in the restoration of the Danes Moss Nature Reserve, will also put some pieces in last minute to sell as well.
70% of the money raised will go to Save Danes Moss, and the remainder to the artists. The auction will be open from Tuesday 26 September until 17 October. The work can be seen, and bids placed, at Red Willow on Park Green or via this link.
"I've been painting my way back in to good health", added Ben.
"When you have been through some difficult times, I actually think art is a really good space to think deeply about things and recalibrate a bit.
"I spend a lot of time outdoors, walking and hunting for photos.
"I am really interested in climate change and biodiversity. I used to design eco-friendly gardens, but had to give up my job due to my condition.
"So the other day I was walking up Saltersford and was thinking 'I don't really contribute towards improving biodiversity anymore.' And then I came up with this idea."
The opening night will be held at Red Willow on Tuesday 26 September from 19:00. This will include a talk about Danes Moss and a Q&A session.
Each artwork will have a reserve of 20% of its normal price: you can place a bid for any amount greater than this.
The highest bid when the auction closes will win the artwork. Any works that have not yet been bid on will be marked with a yellow dot. You can place your bid online, or in-person at Red Willow, where bidding sheets will be available at the bar.
All bids are binding. If your bid wins and you are unable to collect your artwork, delivery can be arranged at cost.
"Really good painting for me is not about technical skill", explained Ben.
"It is about having something to express in an honest way.
"Painting is really liberating for me."
The catalogue can be viewed on this link, with bids made from the 26th.
"I am really fascinated by the bit of countryside between Kettleshulme and Shutlingsloe", concluded Ben.
"It is the ridge where Cheshire meets Derbyshire. I particularly love Saltersford Valley, it appears like the land that time forgot.
"Other than there, Macclesfield and Bollington I don't paint out of our local area really."
Other local scenes painted for sale include mines in Pott Shrigley, Harrop Wood and the Cat and Fiddle Road.
SAVE Danes Moss added: "Danes Moss is an ancient peatland in Macclesfield, Cheshire."
"It is a globally scarce habitat that supports a rich biodiversity, including rare and protected species and is a vital carbon store. Cheshire East Council and Barratt Homes are part of plans to develop land at the fringes of this wild habitat and replace it with a vast housing estate.
"Save Danes Moss campaigns to stop this disastrous plan and secure a better future for this priority habitat."
Once again you can browse the catalogue and make bids (from the 26th) by clicking HERE.
You can click HERE to visit his website.
Beyond this, Benmo is planning to host an open studio event on Saturday 4 November. Please contact him for more information.
You can also click HERE to follow Benmo on social media.
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