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London Art Auction for Grenfell Fire Survivors Raises $2.5 Million London Art Auction for Grenfell Fire Survivors Raises $2.5 Million
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — An auction of artwork by some of Britain’s leading contemporary artists raised 1.9 million pounds, or about $2.5 million, for the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.LONDON — An auction of artwork by some of Britain’s leading contemporary artists raised 1.9 million pounds, or about $2.5 million, for the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Art for Grenfell auction, hosted by Sotheby’s in central London on Monday, included works donated by Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Wolfgang Tillmans. The proceeds from the sale, which doubled its pre-auction estimate of £700,000 to £1 million, will be divided up equally among the 158 families who survived the fire.The Art for Grenfell auction, hosted by Sotheby’s in central London on Monday, included works donated by Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Wolfgang Tillmans. The proceeds from the sale, which doubled its pre-auction estimate of £700,000 to £1 million, will be divided up equally among the 158 families who survived the fire.
Sotheby’s UK chairman, Harry Dalmeny, who was the auctioneer for the sale, said in a statement beforehand: “The Grenfell disaster has had a profound effect on all of us. We are very glad to be able to do something to help provide support to the victims.”Sotheby’s UK chairman, Harry Dalmeny, who was the auctioneer for the sale, said in a statement beforehand: “The Grenfell disaster has had a profound effect on all of us. We are very glad to be able to do something to help provide support to the victims.”
The idea was initiated by the curator and art consultant Katie Heller and the film producer Hamish McAlpine. All of the lots were sold, in what is known as “a white glove sale”. The idea was initiated by the curator and art consultant Katie Heller and the film producer Hamish McAlpine. All of the lots were sold, in what is known as “a white glove sale.”.
“When Grenfell happened, like everyone, I was totally incensed and upset and wanted to be able to do something,” Ms. Heller said in a telephone interview. “The best way I could personally help was to put together a charity auction.”“When Grenfell happened, like everyone, I was totally incensed and upset and wanted to be able to do something,” Ms. Heller said in a telephone interview. “The best way I could personally help was to put together a charity auction.”
The piece that fetched the highest price was from the photographer Wolfgang Tillmans’s sought-after “Freischwimmer” series. It went for £392,750, more than double its estimate of £120,000 to £180,000. Antony Gormley’s “Small Charge” sold for £344,750 and Yinka Shonibare’s “Bad School Boy” for £200,000.The piece that fetched the highest price was from the photographer Wolfgang Tillmans’s sought-after “Freischwimmer” series. It went for £392,750, more than double its estimate of £120,000 to £180,000. Antony Gormley’s “Small Charge” sold for £344,750 and Yinka Shonibare’s “Bad School Boy” for £200,000.
Other Turner Prize winners contributed to the sale alongside Mr. Gormley, including Rachel Whiteread and Anish Kapoor. Britain’s representative at this year’s Venice Biennale, Phyllida Barlow, also donated a piece.Other Turner Prize winners contributed to the sale alongside Mr. Gormley, including Rachel Whiteread and Anish Kapoor. Britain’s representative at this year’s Venice Biennale, Phyllida Barlow, also donated a piece.
Some of the works in the auction were created for the event. Tacita Dean, who is best known for her large-scale 2011 film installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, donated a piece called “Lay the Dust with Tears” that sold for £22,500.Some of the works in the auction were created for the event. Tacita Dean, who is best known for her large-scale 2011 film installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, donated a piece called “Lay the Dust with Tears” that sold for £22,500.
At a private viewing ahead of the auction, the families had the opportunity to see the works up for sale. Ms. Heller said the families had been consulted ahead of the project. “We were worried it could be perceived as being the elitist art world getting together and throwing money at less fortunate people,” Ms. Heller said. “We asked the families what they really needed and it was financial support.”At a private viewing ahead of the auction, the families had the opportunity to see the works up for sale. Ms. Heller said the families had been consulted ahead of the project. “We were worried it could be perceived as being the elitist art world getting together and throwing money at less fortunate people,” Ms. Heller said. “We asked the families what they really needed and it was financial support.”
At least 80 people died in the fire in the Grenfell social housing block in June. Most of the surviving families are still living in hotels, waiting to be rehoused.At least 80 people died in the fire in the Grenfell social housing block in June. Most of the surviving families are still living in hotels, waiting to be rehoused.