Controversial Manchester Artist Gary Cartwright is selling one of his highly sought after paintings in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust.

The painting of Diana wearing a red ribbon was done in memory of his best friend Derek who tragically died in a freak accident in 2001. Gary said : "The red ribbon was added to the painting in the hope that even after her death Diana would still be making people aware of the seriousness of HIV. I am sure that Derek would have been pleased that the Terence Higgins Trust will be benefiting from this painting and I hope that people will bid generously".

People will be able to bid for the painting on-line via the ebay web site.
From February 28th. just click on http://members.ebay.co.uk/aboutme/thtauction.
For more information contact Jane Higgins on 020 7816 4559. 

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Images of the Diana painting are available from the THT press office. It can be  viewed on Garys web site http://www.geocities.com/zoltauk/Diana.html
• Gary Cartwright’s work is becoming highly sort after from collectors across Britain and Europe, he has works in various private collections and Manchester police museum and Manchester Jewish museum. He has held solo exhibitions in Britain and Europe, selling out in Stuttgart, Germany in 2002. He has fast become one of the north of England's most talked about artists, with his disturbing and sometimes shocking paintings. His hard hitting works are often the topic of conversation and debate. More recently the thought provoking "Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone" has been causing a stir.
• Garys autobiography "behind the painted smile" will be published in 2003 and tells of his struggle to survive and suffer physical and mental abuse in a violent relationship, nurse his partner then watch him die from AIDS. For details contact zolta@onetel.net.uk
• Gary’s latest exhibition due to open in Manchester is 'Life's a Drag' celebrating the Manchester Drag queens. It will open at Taurus bar on the world famous Canal Street on February 28th the artists 40th birthday.