A portrait of the British actor and comedian Russell Brand by the artist Lincoln Townley has sold at artnet Auctions for $20,000. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Abstinence Based Recovery Trust (ABR Trust) a charity assisting people suffering from chronic substance or alcohol abuse. (see Russell Brand Portrait to be Auctioned for Addiction Charity)

Both the actor and the artist are recovering addicts, and the charity helped Brand overcome his own battle with addiction. The pair collaborated with the founder of the ABR Trust, Chip Somers to set up the auction.

In a statement Brand said “Receiving this substantial sum from the sale of Lincoln’s art has given the ABR Trust a much needed boost to its plans for the future. Hopefully this fund will grow so that more people will be able to get clean and change their lives.”

Townley added, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the interest in the painting and felt quite honored to portray Russell, when the likes of Damien Hirst has also shown interest in painting him. I truly believe in the cause that Chip is championing and hope to work further with him and Russell in the near future.”

Shortly after the successful auction, Townley’s exhibition at London’s Framer’s Gallery sold out within several days.