Purple flowers on a bed of green leaves in acrylic and oil on canvas by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been auctioned in New York for $3000, her first painting to be sold abroad.
With a reserved price of $ 2500, five bids were made before the painting titled ‘Flower Power’ was sold at $3000 to Sundaram Tagore Gallery, a spokesperson of the US-based NGO Children’s Hope India which auctioned the painting to raise funds for the welfare of underprivileged children in India, told PTI.
The auction was held at a gala event in New York City to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the NGO.
Founded in 1992 by a group of Indian American women professionals, Children’s Hope India sponsors health, education and vocational programmes for thousands of children in India.
Among other items, a cricket bat with the signature of Team India members including M S Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar was auctioned for $15,000 .
Out of about 200 paintings made so far by the Trinamool Congress supremo, this was was the first time her work went abroad. She has held three exhibitions so far.
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, who was also present during the auction, said the NGO had requested the chief minister to contribute a painting.
“Since it was for a good cause she readily agreed. She painted it two months ago at her office,” said the party leader.
