LONDON.- A painting by acclaimed British artist Nasser Azam, donated to The 2008 Sovereign European Art Prize Exhibition, was last night (Friday 10 October) sold for 80,000€ in a Gala Charity Auction at the Embankment Galleries, Somerset House.

The 180 x 120 cm acrylic on canvas, Intricate Requiem II by Nasser Azam, commanded the highest bid on the night, even trumping Sweetspots, a painting created by tennis star Martina Navratilova and Slovak artist Juraj Kralik.

It was auctioned alongside works by the 30 contemporary artists from across Europe shortlisted for the 2008 Sovereign European Art Prize in the exhibition at the Embankment Galleries, Somerset House. A significant part of the proceeds will go to Kids Co, a charity working with 12,000 of London’s most disadvantaged children.

Nasser Azam is a painter and sculptor who has rapidly become established as a leading contemporary artist, with pieces included in many leading international collections. Since October 2007 he has been Artist in Residence at the County Hall Gallery where his latest exhibition Anatomica is currently on display. In July Azam broke new ground when he became the first artist to complete a series of paintings in zero gravity conditions, as part of the Life in Space project. The Life in Space triptych is due to be auctioned at Philips de Pury in New York on November 14.