Mystery Moth to be unveiled at Amy Johnson Festival auction
Michael Baitson, Andrew Baitson, Saffron Wahghorn and Rick Welton (Amy Johnson Festival Director) with the moths which are being stored in a warehouse in Hull in readiness for the auction.
TWO artists who met in Hull and ended up working on opposite sides of the world have been reunited in the city this week to put the finishing touch to the eagerly-awaited Amy Johnson Festival moth auction.
Jo Cruickshanks will take in the auction during her visit from her current home in Australia – and is working once again with Saffron Waghorn to design “Mystery Moth”, which will be the surprise package in Saturday’s sale.
The new piece will be the only one created by the pair to be put up for auction. Their other designs were both purchased by their sponsors as the moth trail closed in March.
Mystery Moth will be the 26th and final lot to go under the hammer when Hull-based Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers and Valuers set up a sale room at The Royal Hull Hotel.
The proceeds from the sale, which begins at 2pm on Saturday, will be split between the HEY Smile Foundation and the Amy Johnson Arts and Engineering Awards.
Father and son team Michael and Andrew Baitson will conduct the proceedings, which come seven years after the family firm raised around £68,000 from the sale of the famous Larkin toads.
No one is making any predictions about the likely final figure – there will be 25 moths up for sale compared with 40 toads, and the toad sale was a first for the city. But technology will take the moth auction to a wider audience, and online bidding is expected to be brisk.
Saffron and Jo met 35 years ago in the sculpture department at Hull College of Art and explored the Yorkshire coast together, creating art linked to their growing awareness of world concerns.
Saffron said: “Similar to Amy Johnson, we lived as very strong, determined, young women in the Hessle Road area and we developed an affinity with Amy’s explorations and adventures, liaising through modern technology to be involved in the Amy Johnson Festival. Although life’s journey took us to opposite sides of the world, we maintained a deep connection based on friendship and artistic ideas.”
Jo focuses on ephemeral installations and Saffron on solid sculpture and they can both keep a secret, giving little away about Mystery Moth. Saffron said: “It looks at the similarities and differences between the natural and industrial worlds as we move towards a need for better cooperation in the arts, sciences and sustainability.”
Rick Welton, Director of the Amy Johnson Festival, said Mystery Moth will add a new dimension to a sale which features some prized pieces.
He said: “Everyone will have their favourite moth, from the designs which have been on display around the city centre to the four which only appeared locally last week at the transport interchange.
“All of the moths have incredible stories behind them. Mystery Moth is the only one for sale which is a collaboration between Saffron and Jo. ‘Swallow Lotus’, which was on display at Kingston Retail Park, is the only one of Saffron’s solo designs still available.
“There is also a great story behind ‘To Build a House…’ which was displayed at Kingswood Arts Centre. The design was submitted all the way from India by Alka Yadav, a young woman who wants to become a fashion designer.
“Alka heard about ‘A Moth for Amy’ online and submitted a beautiful design along with a thought-provoking poem. In communicating with her it became clear that Alka lives in a challenging environment, which makes it even more remarkable that she was able to take part. We hope very much that the fee she won from having her design selected helps to support her in her artistic work and ambitions.
“As for Mystery Moth, that’s exactly what it is. Saffron and Jo have kept their ideas under wraps and all will be revealed at the sale.”
The auction will take place in The Royal Suite, which can accommodate around 400 people. Some of the moths will be on show in the room and the rest will be displayed on a big screen.
Prices for the toads ranged from £1,500 to almost £4,000, and whilst there’s no doubt some people will turn up out of curiosity there will be others who are prepared to spend big to net a moth.
Andrew Baitson said: “Some people came along hoping to pick up a toad for £50 but they need to know that’s not going to happen. There will be some very serious bidders, and we can reach more than a million of them online.
“There is a growing market for fibre glass animals. We know that from the experience of the toads, and there are people out there buying cows, sheep, owls and much more.”
For full details of the sale please visit www.gilbert-baitson.co.uk
