The Gavel Art Trail & Auction
This autumn, Chiswick Auctions is delighted to be part of The Gavel Art Trail and Auction, a nationwide fundraising initiative organised by the Bidpath Foundation in collaboration with Wild in Art. The project brings together auction houses, artists and communities to raise funds for three important charities: The Brain Tumour Charity, The National Brain Appeal and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN).
Fifteen supersized gavel sculptures have been artistically reimagined and will be on display across the UK during September and October, before being sold at a special charity auction on Thursday 6 November 2025.
Our Gavel: by Helena Traill
We are proud to present a unique gavel created by British artist Helena Traill, which will be on show at our Chiswick gallery, The Barley Mow Centre, from 1 September to 31 October 2025. Online bidding opens on 1 September.
Helena’s gavel depicts Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey, a place she often visited with her late father, Philip, who lived with brain tumours for 24 years. The piece is both personal and poignant, combining her love of painting with a tribute to his creative spirit.
About the Artist
Helena Traill is an emerging artist who paints en plein air, working outdoors to capture the changing beauty of light, weather and landscape. Her instinctive brushstrokes and vibrant colours invite viewers to experience the natural world in a fresh and sensory way.
Following her debut solo exhibition en plein air at 28 Flowers Gallery in Chelsea earlier this year, Helena’s work has entered private collections and appeared in exhibitions across London. Her practice is deeply connected to her neurodivergence, and painting has been both a passion and a way of remembering her father.
Helena has long supported The Brain Tumour Charity through creative projects such as 100 Stories of Cancer, as well as through fundraising challenges including cycling over 100 miles.
See more about Helena on her website ⇒
Supporting the Charities
The Gavel Art Trail and Auction will raise funds for three important causes:
The Brain Tumour Charity, the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to research, support and awareness.
The National Brain Appeal, which funds pioneering projects at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
ICPCN, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, working globally to improve palliative care for children.
Visit and Take Part
Helena’s gavel will be displayed in Chiswick at The Barley Mow Centre throughout September and October. We warmly invite you to come and see this striking work in person, place a bid online and help us raise vital funds for these extraordinary charities.
Learn more information about the sale ⇒
Read more about this project here ⇒