Auction for artist - Art aid for a dignified lady

The art auction held yesterday in Blackrock, Dublin, raised over €60,000 for disabled artist Alexandra Trotsenko.

A Russian married to an Irishman, she had several fingers cut off in a savage attack at her Dublin apartment in September 2009.

She was alone in the apartment when James Kenny forced his way in, wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife and machete. Demanding money, jewellery and credit cards, he stabbed Ms Trotsenko in the face, neck, chest and abdomen and cut off fingers on her right hand. Earlier this month Judge Tony Hunt described the attack as one of “almost medieval barbarity”.

He sentenced Kenny to 16 years in jail. After the court case Ms Trotsenko spoke movingly on RTÉ’s Liveline programme of her terrifying ordeal.

There was an immense response from listeners who were greatly impressed by her dignified manner. Fellow artists donated their paintings for the auction. Other contributions include a signed Dublin jersey by Bernard Brogan of this year’s winning All-Ireland football team.

The funds raised at the auction are intended to help the artist obtain prosthetic surgery that will enable her to hold a paintbrush again.