Bidders have until Thursday 10 September to secure one of York’s Watchers sculptures, as the auction for the city’s newest public art trail enters its final week.
Ten individually hand-painted Watchers remain up for bid: The Keeper of Coloured Light by Caitlin Smith, The Watcher of the Night by Hannah Jayne Lewin, The Merchant Keeper by Ishleen Kaur, The Keeper of Voices by the777paradox, The Scholar’s Keeper by Catya Elise Ledezma, The Garden Guardian by Rue Robinson, The River Watcher by Ali Elly, The Warden of Wild Blooms by Gill Prendergast, The Gatekeeper by Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt, and The Watcher of York by Norse Sky.
Each began life as one of the identical guardian sculptures inspired by the medieval carvings that have watched over York Minster for centuries, before being transformed by its artist into something entirely one-of-a-kind. Bids can be placed at visityork.org/watchers-auction.
Donations remain welcome
Money raised goes to two causes: the York Creates Fund, run by Make It York to back local creative projects through grants, commissions and competitions, and York Minster’s own conservation work, including restoration of its Rose Window. Two further sculptures — The We’re In It Together City Guardian and The Many Hands City Guardian — were created in partnership with York Against Cancer and York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity respectively, and will return to those charities rather than go under the hammer, though donations to support their work remain welcome.
Anyone wanting to see the full set one last time before they disperse can catch the Final Gathering, running from 3 to 13 September at York Minster’s Chapter House, where all twelve Watchers are reunited before heading to their permanent homes.
