YOKO Ono has said "I love you" to Modern Art Oxford by donating a painting worth £4,000 to an auction in aid of the gallery.

Avant garde artist Tracey Emin, sculptor Anish Kapoor and abstract painter Bridget Riley have also donated works to the auction celebrating the gallery's 50th birthday in 2016.

In total, the 19 works by some of the most famous figures working in contemporary art are expected to fetch a combined £200,000 for MAO.

Gallery director Paul Hobson invited artists to donate pieces and said he had been 'truly humbled and delighted by their response'.

He said: "We are thrilled to be able to present the culmination of this venture.

"Modern Art Oxford is a charity and we rely heavily on the financial support of those who are passionate about art and artists, and who value the essential role that culture plays in a healthy, creative and inclusive society.

"We are grateful to Arts Council England and Oxford City Council for their long-standing investment in our organisation and we are especially grateful to the exceptional generosity of the artists who have donated works for this auction, the proceeds of which will support the future plans of the gallery, helping to sustain our ambition for decades ahead."

The Museum of Modern Art Oxford was founded by architect Trevor Green in 1966.

His aim was 'the advancement of education of the general public in the modern visual arts'.

Over the past five decades it has hosted exhibitions by Yoko Ono, Tracey Emin, Howard Hodgkin and a host of other big names.

Now many of them, alongside supporters and art collectors, have said 'thank you' by donating prized artworks for sale.

Gallery patron Dasha Shenkman OBE has made one of the most generous offers by donating his 1985 Bridet Riley work Rose Red modulations with Green and Blue Contrasts, worth an estimated £30,000 – £40,000.

Tracey Emin has donated her 2015 acrylic work "Landscape", is set to fetch between £6,000 and £8,000.

Mona Hatoum's 2011 sculpture made of steel tubing entitled "Bunker (cube bldg)" has been given an estimate of £50,000 to £70,000.

The auction, to be held on Wednesday, March 8, has been organised by Bonham's.

Modern Art Oxford says it is its first ever auction in London.

The sale will start at 4pm but there will be viewing opportunities from Saturday, March 4, onwards.

See the full catalogue online at bonhams.com/auctions/23866