PINK FLOYD - BARRETT AUCTION RAISES OVER GBP119,000 FOR ARTISTS

BARRETT AUCTION RAISES OVER GBP119,000 FOR ARTISTS

An auction of late PINK FLOYD founder SYD BARRETT's belongings has raised over GBP119,000 ($232,000) to fund up-and-coming artists. The reclusive musician, who died in July (06), spent most of his latter years perfecting his art work at his Cambridge, England home. Ten of his paintings were yesterday (29NOV06) sold for a collective GBP55,000 ($107,250), while a cream leather armchair, complete with a stain on its headrest, went for GBP1,100 ($2,145). Barrett's two bicycles made over GBP10,000 (GBP19,500). Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund art training in Cambridge. Speaking earlier this month (NOV06), Barrett's sister ROSEMARY BREEN said, "His first love was art and he always considered himself more than an artist than a musician. We hope to use the money to set up some kind of bursary in the town for budding art students."