Going, going, gone, at Rs.60,000, the highest bid at the art auction which concluded the week-long activities of Artists Against Communalism and the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust.

Lacking the frenzied pace that characterises such events, the collection of visual and textual message against communalism were auctioned for a starting bid of Rs.5,000 at the Jehangir Art Gallery this evening.

"We are relying on your enthusiasm to match the enthusiasm of the artists and organisers," said Krishna, well-known painter, who was master of ceremonies along with noted actors Naseerudin Shah and Shekhar Kapoor.

The highest price was paid for a panel which included paintings by Vivan sundaram, Tyeb Mehta, Navjot and Altaf. The second highest panel, which was sold for Rs.23,000 included the works for M.F. Husain, Krishen Khanna, Habib Thanvir and Ali Sardar Jafri. Most other panels went for between Rs.5,000 and Rs.10,000.

"Its good work and for a good cause," said Mr. Hiru Bijlani, the highest bidder. "The works should have been auctioned at a better starting price," he added.

The exhibition entitled "Words and Images" including the contributions of 400 artists, writers, poets, photographers, theatre persons and film-makers from all over the country.