Madonna artwork going up for auction

A series of photos and drawings of Madonna by late artist Martin Burgoyne are set to go up for auction in Florida.

The items are part of a collection of Burgoyne's work, which his parents are now preparing to part with 28 years after Madonna's close friend and former roommate died from AIDS.

Burgoyne used to sketch pictures of the then-struggling singer as they both worked to pursue their dreams of fame and fortune in New York City.

The Material Girl later hired her pal as her first tour manager and even commissioned him to create the cover art for her 1983 release Burning Up.

A full-color sketch of that image, other drawings and Polaroid photos of the stars when they used to party with iconic artist Andy Warhol are now due to go under the hammer at Myers Fine Art in St. Petersburg on 9 February (14).

And auction boss Mary Dowd is secretly hoping Madonna will be keen to reclaim some of the lots as a reminder of her youth.

She says, "It seems like it's something she should have for her historical archives. It's a big part of her life, from the beginning."

The pop superstar paid tribute to Burgoyne in the song In This Life, which featured on her 1992 album Erotica.