Cycling and photography fans this one is for you, a limited edition signed portrait of the legendary Richie Porte is going to auction.
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The Examiner photographer Scott Gelston took the image in February 2016 and has donated the one-of-a-kind to the Winter Relief Appeal.
The 120cm by 80cm composite aluminium print is being auctioned to raise funds to support four Launceston charities.
Gelston said the photo was taken in the laneway at the Pantry Cafe and took no more than 10 minutes.
“It's the same laneway where I shot Chris Froome and Richie during their visit in 2014 albeit with a very different backdrop and feel,” he said.
“I entered the print in the Tasmanian Portraiture Prize in 2016 and was a finalist.
“I decided to donate the print to the appeal at the conclusion of the exhibition.”
Gelston said he hoped The Examiner and its loyal cycling readership would help the print reach an audience who may not have seen the image while on display and would allow much needed funds to go into the appeal.
“The print was signed by Richie as I thought it would be a nice way to personalise the piece, Richie was very supportive of donating the piece to the appeal as he is a big supporter of his hometown,” Gelston said.
“Richie is an inspiration to me, as he's someone from the region who has gone off to take on the world in his chosen sport but still thinks of Tasmania as his home.
“A world superstar who still chooses to train here during his summer break when he could just as easily stay overseas with his team.”
The print is a limited edition numbered 1/3, signed and dated on the rear by the photographer and is the only print in the series signed by Porte. Gelston’s limited edition prints in this size have been selling for an average of $1950, and are held in private and public art collections.
The Porte print is hanging on display at AvantiPlus Launceston on St John St.
The auction will go live on The Examiner’s website on Saturday and will close on Wednesday, July 26 at 11.59pm. The winning bidder to be notified on Thursday, July 27 by phone.
So far the Winter Relief Appeal has raised $38,998. The Examiner has set a $50,000 target for the appeal, which ends on August 31.