The back of Bert...
Probably won't see him again...depending on who bought him; a business or an individual and whether he's likely to be on display somewhere or live a more private life in someone's home.
The Auction was very interesting and exciting at times. Spent quite a lot of time wondering what music might be played to accompany Bert onto the stage. Previously, a choir had sung
Autumn Leaves for Su Lees's
Distinctly Different (Dee Dee) with her silver-leaved purple body. An Elvis singalike in a lovely gold jacket had been "all shook up" for
Elvis. Bert in his pyjamas was serenaded with
Mr Sandman written by P. Ballard and sung by The Chordettes
.
The Auction was introduced by Dr Bryan Carroll, the zoo's director, the Head of Mammals at the zoo, a doctor from Bristol Children's Hospital, and Charlie Langhorne from
Wild in Art.
The artists in the audience were made to stand up and take applause at one stage. The artist sculptor of
Wild in Art, Chris Wilkinson, who designed the gorilla sculpture canvas the other artists painted on, was also acknowledged.
Two gorillas were on stage at any one time having been brought there by territorial army soldiers. They were each on a revolve so that they could be seen from each angle. The gorilla to be auctioned was spotlighted, whilst the gorilla-in-waiting was draped in black cloth. The auction was amusingly conducted by Andrew Morgan of Hollis Morgan.
Endangered PJs was lot 56 and was sold quite quickly for
£6 500. The previous gorilla
Still Life: Alfred by Arianne Wolodarsky had raised the second highest price of
£12 000. Lot 53, the giant-hatted Brunel lookalike
Gorisambard by Tim Miness had started a bidding war and had been sold for the amazing price of
£23 000!
Altogether, the Auction raised
£427 300 for the
Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital and Ape conservation charities.
The BBC's
DIY SOS's
Custard was sold in aid of
Children in Need for
£5250.
See photos of the auction by clicking here.
