LONDON, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. A group of popular Scottish artists are at the heart of this year’s auction in aid of national UK charity Horatio’s Garden, which creates life-changing therapeutic gardens in NHS spinal injury centres across the country.
Among more than 70 artists donating their works are Clare Arbuthnott, Madeleine Braithwaite-Exley, Emma Tennant and Brenda Martin, who bring the landscapes, light and colours of Scotland to the fore, in each unique piece of work. They sit alongside internationally acclaimed names such as Sir Quentin Blake, the famed children’s illustrator and John Illsley (founder and former bass guitarist of the band Dire Straits).
Among the Scottish artists is Edinburgh-based artist Clare Arbuthnott RSW, known for her bold floral compositions and expressive Scottish landscapes, has donated Hyacinths, a richly coloured oil on canvas. The piece reflects her vibrant approach to still life, capturing both delicacy and energy with her signature brushwork.
From the dramatic coastlines of the Hebrides to the gentle farmland of Perthshire, Madeleine Braithwaite-Exley channels the wild spirit of the Scottish outdoors in her work. Her donation, Polzeath Beach, Cornwall, Wild Windy Day Colours may depict an English scene, but its dynamic skies and sweeping energy are unmistakably inspired by her Scottish upbringing and love of coastal drama.
Botanical painter Emma Tennant, based on a hill farm in Roxburghshire, has donated Prunus avium – Autumn Leaf, a delicate and precise study of a cherry leaf that merges scientific detail with artistic spontaneity. Painted on Japanese rice paper, the piece is a testament to Tennant’s skill in capturing the seasonal transitions of the Scottish garden.
Finally, Brenda Martin, an Edinburgh-based artist and former BBC costume designer, contributes Golden Cornfield, a large and luminous oil on canvas. Painted on location in the Highlands, this expansive landscape conveys the openness and energy of Scotland’s rural vistas, with golden tones and sweeping skies that evoke a feeling of peace and hope.
These four Scottish artists stand alongside internationally acclaimed names such as Sarah Armstrong-Jones, Sir Quentin Blake, the famed children’s illustrator and John Illsley (founder and former bass guitarist of the band Dire Straits), who have also donated original works to the auction. Hosted by Woolley & Wallis and running online from October 9th to 26th, 2025, the works range in estimate from £200 to £14,000.
With proceeds supporting Horatio’s Garden’s mission to bring natural healing spaces to every spinal injury centre in the UK, this auction blends exceptional art with a truly meaningful cause. The works by Arbuthnott, Braithwaite-Exley, Tennant and Martin are not only visually powerful, but they embody the deep-rooted connection between art, nature and recovery that lies at the heart of the charity’s work.
“We’re so excited to unveil our third Horatio’s Garden Art Auction where you can buy a piece of incredible art and help us change the lives of people going through the most challenging of times. We know the value that art and creativity can have in someone’s rehabilitation. We’re so grateful to all the artists, Woolley & Wallis, the-saleroom.com and everyone who kindly supports us in helping to ensure that no-one has to go through a life changing spinal injury and spend months in hospital without being able to use a Horatio’s Garden.”
Horatio’s Garden founder Dr. Olivia Chapple OBE EMH
Commenting on this year’s auction John Axford, Chairman of Woolley and Wallis auctioneers, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be supporting this auction in aid of Horatio’s Garden. It is a privilege to help raise vital funds for such a truly meaningful cause, one that brings comfort, joy and a sense of hope at a difficult time, to so many people. We are proud to play a part in ensuring this important charity can continue its remarkable work.”
The internationally acclaimed illustrator Sir Quentin Blake CH CBE RDI is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most cherished and influential artists in the field of illustration. Renowned for his distinctive style, Quentin is best known for his own stories, as well as for iconic collaborations with authors such as Roald Dahl, Michael Rosen and John Yeoman.
Appointed the UK’s first Children’s Laureate in 1999, he has received numerous accolades over his distinguished career. He was awarded a CBE and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to illustration, he was knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours and in 2022, was named a Companion of Honour as part of the Platinum Jubilee Honours. Horatio’s Garden is delighted to be able to offer a print by Quentin titled Flowering Plant, which reflects the whimsical sensitivity and visual charm that has made his works so popular across multiple generations.
About Horatio’s Garden
Horatio’s Garden builds and looks after extraordinary gardens in the heart of NHS spinal injury centres. The gardens are a critical part of rehabilitation and offer reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, joy and companionship to all who need it. They lead regular gardening sessions to grow and cultivate plants, arts workshops to offer new skills and a programme of live music and events. Designed to be enjoyed all-year-round, these gardens offer a warm, welcoming place for family and friends who may have travelled hours for a visit.
Horatio’s Garden is named after Horatio Chapple, a schoolboy who wanted to be a doctor and who volunteered at The Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury. It was Horatio’s idea to create a garden and his original research continues to shape each garden’s design and the charity’s aims. Tragically, Horatio’s life was cut short at 17 when his camp was attacked by a polar bear whilst on an expedition in Svalbard in 2011.
However, his vibrant legacy has continued to grow and the gardens now support 73% of people after a spinal injury. The charity’s mission is to open gardens in all 11 NHS specialist centres to ensure that no-one has to go through a life changing spinal injury and spend months in hospital without being able to use a Horatio’s Garden.
