A prolific Dunedin artist’s work will directly benefit an art studio that supports people with mental health and addiction issues.
Eion Stevens’ artwork will be auctioned from October 10-23 and proceeds will go to Princes St art studio Artsenta.
Stevens’ friend, Max Reid, was among four people named in his will to choose a charity every year to receive the proceeds from auctioning 25 of his paintings.
Mr Reid said it had been a challenge to choose charities, but Artsenta made sense because Stevens had struggled with mental health issues himself.
He had always encouraged art and other artists just as Artsenta did, Mr Reid said.
"It’s a perfect match".
Mr Reid said Stevens’ estate still had hundreds of paintings and there would be many auctions in the future.
"He was an incredibly prolific painter.
"At his peak, he would have been doing a work a day and that’s how he’s accumulated such an enormous body of work."
"I think that was the point at which, in the absence of a studio, things changed for him.
"He was never quite the same after that."
Artsenta director Paul McLellan-Smith said he felt privileged that it had been chosen to receive proceeds from the sale.
"I think it’s very poignant we’re supporting people facing mental health challenges and he is someone who faced his own challenges."
The art studio provides a space for people accessing support for mental health or addiction issues.
It planned to use the funds generated from the auction for its 40th anniversary celebrations next year.
Stevens’ work will be on display at the studio from October 10-23 after the exhibit opens on October 9.
The auction will be conducted online and managed by Haywards Auction House.
