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Graffiti artist Graham Hoete's aerosol painting of Sir Edmund Hillary sold on the auction website Trade Me for $4330 to a retired Hawkes Bay man with a growing collection of Kiwi art.
The money raised from Mr Hoete's painting will go to the Hillary Foundation to send at-risk or financially disadvantaged young people to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
The painting was bought on behalf of David Nichol, 73, by his step-son Ryan Wright, who placed an auto-bid on Trade Me, and won the auction against strong competition .
Mr Nichol and his wife have since also bought a pencil portrait drawing of Sir Ed on the auction site.
Mr Wright saw the 145.5cm-high, 114cm-wide aerosol painting of Sir Ed on the television show Breakfast and discussed it with his parents who agreed the piece would make a great addition to their new home.
Mr Hoete - also known as Mr G - lives in Tauranga and is working on designs for murals at Greerton ANZ bank and the Whiritoa Surf Lifesaving Club.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
