Ed Sheeran - paintings for sale

[Shnuzzbucket]

Just seen that Ed Sheeran is exhibiting his paintings. It was wrapped up as a charitable exercise, but only half the sales proceeds are going to his charity foundation. He's worth somewhere around £250 million.

Surely he could donate all the proceeds?

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/11/the-good-the-bad-and-the-simply-tone-deaf-a-roll-call-of-celebrity-art

We were delighted to hear that yet another top-notch celebrity—pop superstar Ed Sheeran—has joined the ever-expanding roster of big names hoping to impress with their art efforts.

The flame-haired musician has been painting since 2019 and is now offering his Cosmic Carpark Paintings at £900 each. Half of the sale price proceeds will go towards his foundation, which is dedicated to supporting music education in UK state schools.

(For when anyone asks i give blood and donate time at my local foodbank)

YABU He should donate all the proceeds or not get free TV time to advertise it.

YANBU Keep your judgey nose put, he doesn't have to donate anything. Be grateful he is.

• [Message from MNHQ: The OP's asked us to update this post to make it clear that the website has shown that Ed is in fact donating ALL his proceeds to charity].

It's up to him what he does with his money, but there paintings are only worth what they are due to them being done by him.

I saw this on the news. The pictures are fucking shite

Think he's donating his entire share?
Gallery and promotors are taking their cut.

Yes, I saw that, on an article by the “arbiters of artistic excellence “. Whoever they think they are.

What a colossal knob that man is.

Good for him. Talk when you donate £450 per painting to charity.

The other half may well be doing to the promoter.

Yes I think this is what I'd read. He's donating 100% of HIS proceeds, but the gallery and others have their cut before this.

😆

Everyone’s a critic! 👍

This.

If you read the website for the exhibition it says “Ed Sheeran's share of the profits of the sale will be donated to the Ed Sheeran Foundation.”

heni.com/editions/cosmic-carpark-editions

His donating his entire share. Other people want to keep theirs.

I sit completely corrected.

I was just going on the news report. I wish they would make it clearer on the news report.

@TwinTantrums I said above. I do things for charity, I cannot afford to give more. And if I was getting £900 a painting, and I was worth 250 million then yes, I would be donating.a big chunk. Do you donate time or money eyes?

I was just going on the news report. I wish they would make it clearer on the news report.

That's not a news report though. You linked to an opinion piece about celebrity artists.

He’s yet another sleb thinking ‘I could do that, I liked art at school - how hard can it be?’ And not-so-shadowy figures step forward to turn it into a blinding success and moneymaking opportunity for themselves.
At least he’s giving the proceeds away and doesn’t seem to be presenting himself as a Serious Artist (cringe).

I was talking about the news report i saw, which was what made me look it up. The article shared had most of the information and I thought would be clearer.

I doubt any will end up in Norwich, unless someone wants to use them for a bonfire!

I have seen artwork by musicians, John Squire and Bob Dylan come to mind, and have a print of a painting by Ray Jackson (of Lindisfarne and the mandolin player on Rod Stewart's song Maggie May). Ed Sheeran's work is not to my taste though.

Thanks mumsnet for updating my op

Jonathan Jones was pretty scathing:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/09/ed-sheeran-jackson-pollock-energy-no-feeling-truth

He’s often a grump though.

The paintings are total rubbish but he looks really happy and the money is going to good causes so fair enough. If I was a celeb I might sell my crap knitting projects!

I quite like them albeit they're knocking off Jackson Pollocks

Why let the truth ruin a good conspiracy?

Well he has form of ripping off other artists.

Proceeds aside, I agree with the article, his paintings are boring. I love Pollock but even Ed’s choice of colours makes his rip-offs seem shallow and superficial, plus he hasn’t got the rhythmic effects going on that Pollock used.

Not all celeb/musician artists are crap though. Joni Mitchell is a fantastic painter and one of the blokes from A-Ha is an acclaimed artist and really good.

I have a Fine Art degree, and do sell the occasional painting/get commissions.

This annoys me as it perpetuates the fact that currently, the only way to be successful as an artist is to be rich/connected/both.

There's no talent here. I do enjoy the splash of paint on his face that was no doubt put there by his team for authenticity.

The same can be said about most of the exhibits in the Tate Modern.

Yeah I dont think anyone would be buying ops paintings at £450 a pop!! No offence op 🤣🤣🤣