Art lovers, collectors and curious first-time buyers gathered in force as the University of East London’s (UEL) annual student-led art auction, Ork-shun, returned with a sell-out 2026 edition – raising funds for a London knife crime prevention charity and cementing its growing reputation as a place to spot the next big name.
With lively bidding throughout the evening, the event saw all 145 artworks snapped up, as attendees competed for pieces spanning painting, sculpture, photography, installation and cutting-edge digital media. For many in the room, the appeal was not just the work itself, but the chance to discover emerging talent early.
Held at UEL’s Lightwell event space at its Dockland’s campus, this year’s auction featured donated works from students, staff, alumni and external artists. The result was an eclectic catalogue that attracted a wide mix of buyers, from seasoned collectors to local residents attending for the first time.
Crucially, the event also delivered a strong charitable impact. A total of £8,000 was raised on the night, with £1,000 donated to the Ben Kinsella Trust – a London-based charity working to prevent knife crime and educate young people about its consequences. The remaining funds will go directly towards supporting students and future creative activity at the university.
A new addition for 2026 saw the introduction of a collectors’ private viewing, offering returning buyers an exclusive preview and the opportunity to reserve works ahead of the public auction. The initiative helped build momentum early, with strong interest even before bidding officially began.
Acting as auctioneer for the night was filmmaker and UEL senior lecturer Julian Alexander, whose energy and enthusiasm style kept the room engaged as bids climbed and competition intensified.
Beyond the spectacle, the event is a key part of UEL’s approach to hands-on learning. Organised entirely by Level 5 visual arts students, the auction forms an assessed professional activity, with students working in teams to manage every aspect – from sourcing and cataloguing artworks to marketing, sales and distribution.
Dr Keith Winter, Associate Professor in Architecture and Visual Art and Visual Arts Cluster Leader at UEL, said,
“What makes this event so special is the combination of creativity and real-world experience. Our students aren’t just making work – they’re learning how to present it, sell it and connect with audiences. To see such strong public engagement and a complete sell-out is a fantastic achievement.”
Professor David Tann, Vice-Provost (Technology) and Executive Dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, added,
“Ork-Shun exemplifies the kind of practice-led learning we champion at UEL. It equips our students with the professional skills, confidence and commercial awareness needed to succeed as practising artists. The standard of work this year has been outstanding, matched by the professionalism with which our students have delivered every aspect of the event.
“What’s particularly encouraging is the growing recognition of the auction beyond the university – people are attending not just to support our students, but because they see genuine quality and future potential in the work. To combine that with raising funds for an important cause like the Ben Kinsella Trust makes this an event with real impact.”
Level 5 fine art student Emanuela Graziano summed up the experience, saying,
“Ork-Shun gives you a real sense of what it takes to bring art into the world – it’s fast-paced, collaborative and incredibly rewarding to see every piece find a home.
“It’s been a great experience, with plenty of challenges along the way, and I was really excited to see how much my own work sold for. Being part of it opens up a world of opportunities and gives you insight into so many different roles involved in making an event like this happen.”
