Painting to Raise Funds to Support Refugees

A painting has gone on display in St Edmundsbury Cathedral inspired by the conflict in Ukraine that will be auctioned off to support refugee services across Suffolk.

St Eds Cathedral displays new painting that will raise funds to support refugees

Heath Rosselli has exhibited at The National Portrait Gallery and The Louvre and specialises in using classical oil techniques in the style of the Old Masters.

Her latest piece, called ‘Hold My Hand’, depicts a Ukrainian mother and child, walking through a landscape of yellow oilseed rape and blue flax fields. Symbolic dark clouds are above them as they walk towards a small chink of blue sky while red flowers behind them represent the blood of the soldiers, husbands and fathers, left to fight for their country.

The painting was inspired by hearing and reading the stories of Ukrainian people coming over to the UK with nothing but what they could carry and will be on show in the cathedral until early January.

Heath said:

“I hope the proceeds from the sale of the painting will go to buy the much-needed supplies and necessities for refugees in Suffolk who find themselves with little or no money for the necessities that the rest of us take for granted, particularly at this cold time of the year, when keeping warm is proving so difficult with the ever-increasing costs of food and heat.”

Martin Simmonds, Fundraising & Communications Officer at Suffolk Refugee Support said:

“More people than ever before have been forced from their homes by conflict and persecution. We see this reflected in the increased numbers of people seeking safety in our corner of the world, from Ukraine and elsewhere, often arriving with little or nothing. We have also seen a tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the people of Suffolk, and we are very grateful that this powerful painting is being auctioned to raise vital funds for our work and awareness of refugee experiences. As winter sets in, it will help us to meet the most urgent needs of those we work with.”

To find out more about the project and make a bid, visit JumbleBee here.