'What's up, dog?': Wearing a tutu, dressed as a clown and even designed to look like Bruce Lee ... 70 life-size Gromit statues raise £45,000 after being auctioned for charity
- Bristol Children's Hospital and Art in Hospital, in Hong Kong, benefited
- The sculptures were made in different colours, shapes and sizes
- One was in the designs was knitted while another had Gromit in ballet dress
- Companies such as Mini designed one Gromit statue in Bruce Lee style
Wearing a pink tutu or dressed as a clown, this is Gromit as we've never seen him before.
Seventy life-size statues of the faithful mutt from the Wallace & Gromit series have been auctioned off for charities in the UK and Hong Kong on Friday.
The unique fiberglass sculptures raised £45,000 for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal at Bristol Children's Hospital in the UK, and Art in Hospital, in Hong Kong.
Manchester-born auctioneer Brian Hodgson said prominent artists, designers and celebrities had been involved in the creation of the the sculptures.
Mr Hodgson said: 'Many of these designs are very special and they either come from some corporates like Mini here have one in the design of Bruce Lee and one of the Gromit's has a ballet dress which has changed his gender somewhat but he is still looking happy.'
The auctioneer said another Gromit which certainly stood out was specially knitted for the auction by a Hong Kong celebrity couple.
Gromit fever: Four of the 70 Gromits which were auctioned off in Hong Kong last Friday
Unique: One of the Gromit's was specially knitted for the auction by a Hong Kong celebrity couple.
Different shapes: The 70 Gromit's were all different sizes and were designed by artists and designers
The highest bid was collected for Nick Parks' 'Sweet Dreams' design, which raised £9,500.
Speaking about the appeal of Gromit during the first auction of its kind to take place outside the UK Mr Hodgson said: 'The character resonates with people.
'He doesn't actually have to say anything but he has his expressions and his character. He is the clever dog and I think people like that, people like the simplicity of Gromit.'
Last year, more than 80 sculptures were auctioned off the appeal and more than £2.3m was raised to fund an expansion of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Diverse: The knitted Gromit on the left is flanked by a black and red Gromit and a sky blue version
Speaking about the ballet dress Gromit Mr Hodgson said it had 'changed his gender somewhat'
Attractive: Auctioneer Brian Hodgson said they wanted to entertain the people of Hong Kong
Line-up: A line up of a number of Gromit's during the auction in aide of British and Hong Kong charities
Most watched News videos
- Corner shop burglar is confronted by customer with karate black belt
- Moment Drew Barrymore presents Meghan Markle with a photo of Diana
- Justin Trudeau tears up in speech with three days left as Canadian PM
- Shocking moment killer paedo Sidney Cooke is attacked in jail
- Moment naked women walks down plane aisle while passengers are onboard
- Crossbow triple killer Kyle Clifford seen outside victims' house
- Brit faces death sentence in Bali after allegedly caught with drugs
- Drew Barrymore introduces Meghan Markle using family name Sussex
- Kyle Clifford questioned by officers following crossbow killing
- Watch bizarre 'choose your fighter' video of female Democrats
- Man allegedly armed with shotgun onboard flight is arrested
- Triple killer Kyle Clifford seen on CCTV before violent attack
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
We are no longer accepting comments on this article.
