Bono, Michael Stipe and other celebrities show their arty sides for Chernobyl Children

Ali Hewson and Adi Roche

WORKS of art by Bono, Michael Stipe, Ed Sheeran, and Saoirse Ronan were among those displayed at the RHA Gallery yesterday morning in Dublin.

However for buyers hoping to secure a superstar masterpiece at the Secret Art exhibition, it will be a guessing game as they won't find out the painter responsible until after they have purchased their work.

Each painting is signed by the artist at the back.

Celebrities pictured at The Rha Gallery in Ely Place Dublin for the launch of The Chernobyl Children's Secret Art Campaign which will run from November 21st -25th 2012

Ali Hewson, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Joe Duffy, Adi Roche and Lottie Ryan pictured at The Rha Gallery in Ely Place Dublin for the launch of The Chernobyl Children's Secret Art Campaign

Well known Irish faces including Ryan Tubridy, Joe Duffy, along with international stars such as model Helena Christensen, as well as students from art college NCD have contributed over 400 works to the 'Chernobyl Children's Secret Art Campaign, a fundraising campaign to raise funds for medical programmes including child cardiac surgeries for vulnerable children in Belarus and Ukraine.

CCI Director Adi Roche said key to the fundraising idea had been giving celebrities’ anonymity to paint.

"It's a bit risky asking people to be creative if its not their natural thing but we had a wonderful response. It shows too, no matter how far down we are in Ireland with economic troubles, our compassion for other people less fortunate is the same as it ever was," Adi Roche told independent.ie Bono's wife Ali Hewson said as she was "better at painting walls than canvasses"-and because she "didn't want any one to suffer with one of my paintings"- her contribution had been to approach celeb friends including Michael Stipe to take up a brush in the cause.

All paintings are €150 and will go on display at the RHA 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2 from November 21.

The exhibition will run until Sunday November 25 where buyers will either purchase a picture by a celebrity painter, or a talented student depending on their luck.

- Ken Sweeney
Entertainment Editor

http://www.independent.ie