An auction of sculptures by international artists that have been on display around Vancouver for the last 18 months has raised close to $3 million.

The art, including 22 huge outdoor pieces that came to the city for the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, was sold Thursday night by Christie's.

Jaguar by American John Henry sold for $1 million.
(Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale)

The famous auction house sent representatives to Vancouver to conduct a gala fundraising auction of the sculptures.

Jaguar, the huge red sculpture that has become a favourite among Vancouver residents, sold for $1 million, a record for an art sale in Vancouver.

The work by U.S. artist John Henry had stood at the entrance to Stanley Park, but it is not known who bought it.

Most works were bought by U.S. collectors, bidding by telephone.

However, five works that did not sell will be offered to the City of Vancouver.

The Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, the first of its kind, brought sculpture by artists from around the world to the city.

The work arrived in 2005 and has been displayed along the Vancouver waterfront.

Works included the upside-down church called Device to Root Out All Evil, by New York sculptor Dennis Oppenheim, which sits beside Coal Harbour, and the sculpture called Realm of Passion by Vietnam's Khang Pham-New, which has been at Kitsilano Beach.

The money raised will help support the next biennale, scheduled for 2009, with international artists again asked to create work for Vancouver.