The Marie Curie Royal Academy Committee held its annual charity auction on Tuesday, July 3 celebrating it’s own 70th Anniversary and the Academy’s 250th.

The official program was forwarded by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles who himself is a key patron of the Foundation.

The evening event was a total sell out despite clashing with the England World Cup fixture on the same evening.

It was an opportunity for all guests to have a private view of the Summer Exhibition which this year has been principally curated by the controversial Grayson Perry.

He has unveiled a very colourful and controversial Exhibition.

The Turner Prize-winning ceramic artist said he wanted to celebrate the "democratic rough and tumble" of the world's largest open-submission show.

He was asked to co-curate the show for its 250th anniversary, putting together a selection of 1,351 artworks from the 20,000 that were submitted.

Critics have praised its heavy use of colour and political tone, with one describing it as a “revolution".

Ilkley artist, Ian Middleton who donated one of the 32 auction lots, a special edition of his painting ‘1812’, suggested with good humour that this year’s backdrop made his colourful, semi abstract submission look positively dull!

The evening’s auction was conducted by TV art personality of ‘Fake or Fortune’, Philip Mould OBE and so far the event has passed the £100,000 net mark and rising.