Gala and landscape artworks up for auction

7 September 2025

News image — We Are Still Here! celebrates the resilience and solidarity of the Durham coalfield communities

Anderson and Garland An auctioneer holding aloft an artwork consisting of the words "we are still here!" in red and black against a white background. He has receding dark hair, a close cropped beard, and is wearing spectacles, and a brown jacket over a brown and white check shirt and a dark tie. — We Are Still Here! celebrates the resilience and solidarity of the Durham coalfield communities

Stirring landscapes and an artwork created for the Durham Miners' Gala are among the works up for auction later this month.

The highlights of the sale, at Anderson and Garland in Newcastle, are three works by Sheila Fell, who was born in Aspatria, Cumbria, and went on to be discovered and mentored by L.S. Lowry.

The pieces from a private collection represented an "exciting opportunity for collectors", the auctioneers said.

Also included in the sale on 24 September is an original oil on plywood by Bob and Roberta Smith, titled We Are Still Here!, with the proceeds going to the Durham Miners' Gala.

Fell (1931–1979) drew inspiration from northern vistas, creating powerful and uncompromising depictions of rural and industrial landscapes.

Discovered early by Lowry, who became her mentor and champion, she was elected to the Royal Academy in 1969 and her work is held in major public collections including the Tate.

Two smaller canvases - Farmland near Aspatria and Allonby - have estimates of £10,000 to £15,000, and a larger one entitled Haycart towards Evening, £20,000 to £30,000.

Anderson and Garland An oil painting in dark shades depicting heavy wintry skies occupying more than half of the canvas and overshadowing farmland below, with a horizontal road and farm cart at the foot of the image. — Haycart towards Evening has an estimate of between £20,000 and £30,000

Patrick Brill, known professionally as Bob and Roberta Smith, is renowned for his iconic slogan-based artwork.

His We Are Still Here! artwork, was created for the 2025 Durham Miners' Gala and offered on behalf of The Friends of the Gala.

Estimated at £2,000 to £4,000, the work celebrates the resilience of the Durham coalfield communities and supports the long-term future of the historic event.

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