THE man behind one of the North-East’s most iconic landmarks, the Angel of the North, has again donated artwork to develop an arts project supporting people living with dementia.

Antony Gormley is one of 80 artists to donate a combined total of 100 pieces of art to an online charity auction and gallery exhibition to raise funds for ART with HEART 2019, a project launched by Hexham’s Queen’s Hall Arts charity. Money raised through the auction will be matched by Arts Council England.

The project will be rolled out to people living with dementia, and their carers. Other well-known artists who have donated pieces include Kevin Day and Sue Moffitt, with a variety of mediums from painting and photography to printing represented.

Katy Taylor, artistic director at Queen’s Hall Arts, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the artistic community, and are delighted that high profile artists including Antony Gormley, creator of the iconic Angel of the North, have donated original work to support ART with HEART.

“With the money raised, we will be developing arts projects to support local people living with dementia.

“There is strong research to show that engaging in arts activity empowers people living with dementia, and enriches life for them and those around them.

“We intend to work with local dementia organisations to develop creative activities with the potential to improve memory, create joy, ease anxiety, improve relationships and tackle social isolation, both for the individual with dementia and those that care for them.”

The ART with HEART exhibition is now open to the public at the Queen’s Hall.

The online auction has also started and people can place bids for their favourite by visiting www.artwithheartauction.org.

The auction will finish at 9pm on Thursday, May 23.