BBC News Online: UK: Wales

Modern artists raise money for museum

The auction aims to raise money for the Brecon Museum - one of the few establishments which regularly exhibits Welsh modern art.

Organisers claim it's becoming increasingly difficult for the public to see the work of our up-and-coming artists and say that this is a rare opportunity.

Ond of the artists featured is former Fleet Street reporter Robert Macdonald.

Mr Macdonald retired from journalism at 40 and took up painting - moving to Brecon to further his new career.

Major awards

His work has now won critical acclaim - and some major awards in the art world.

He's just one of more than 30 of Wales' leading artists who've donated work for the auction which also includes paintings by Swansea artist Valerie Ganz and also a selection of work from Welsh sculptors.

Another whose work will be in the auction is Pan Theodosiou, now based in Powys, who is highly sought-after throughout Britain and across America.

As calls increase for a museum of modern art to be set up in Wales, there's concern that work like this simply isn't given enough credit.

And it's quite rare to get a big collection of work like this together.

Half of the proceeds raised from the auction will go towards developing the museum in Brecon - and helping to put on future exhibitions.