Celebrity art valued

Sir Edmund Hillary's pen and ink drawing came with an apology for his lack of skill with colour, but a Wellington bidder still paid $4000 for the black and white signed sketch at a charity art auction last night.

There was also keen bidding for Dame Malvina Major's handiwork, which went for $2500, and a painting by Jonah Lomu, which fetched $1200 at the event, which raised about $19,000 for the Life Education Trust.

Twenty musicians, politicians, businesspeople and sports stars were asked to put Dulux house paint and brush to art board and donate the results for the Wellington auction.

Trust chief executive Tim Rogerson said the art works ranged from minimalist, thoughtful pieces to splashy, vibrant works. Some revealed surprising talent.

- NZPA