LONDON – Leading contemporary artists including Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas and Wolfgang Tillmans are among those donating works to an auction in support of those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire disaster.
SARAH LUCAS, EATING A BANANA (FOR GRENFELL), 1990-2017. ESTIMATE £15,000-20,000.
The Art for Grenfell auction, which will take place on Monday 16 October at New Bond Street, will raise funds for the 158 surviving families of the West London fire that killed at least 80 people in June.
Other artists who have generously agreed to donate works to include Tacita Dean, Rachel Howard, Harland Miller, Yinka Shonibare, Mark Wallinger and Rachel Whiteread.
Proceeds from the sale will be distributed to the families by the Rugby Portobello Trust, a North Kensington-based charity which has been closely supporting the Grenfell residents since the fire in June.
WOLFGANG TILLMANS, FREISCHWIMMER 193 (2009), CHROMOGENIC PRINT, 238.2 X 181 X 6 CM. ESTIMATE £120,000–180,000.
Film Producer Hamish McAlpine and Art Consultant Katie Heller are the driving-forces behind Art for Grenfell, and over the past few months have been working with the artists to source works for the sale. They said: “The edifice of Grenfell Tower stands as a reminder of the terrible failure of society to look after its poorest people. No one should have had to suffer the trauma that these people have endured. It is only right that we should do all we can to help in any way that we can and the artists have responded with immense generosity and goodwill.”
Mark Simms, CEO of the Rugby Portobello Trust said: “Thank you on behalf of The Rugby Portobello Trust and on behalf of the families and wider community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. The Rugby Portobello Trust has pledged to support everyone who survived this disaster and to ensure all Grenfell residents receive the support they need. The monies raised by this auction will be delivered, in their entirety, directly to the former residents by The Rugby Portobello Trust.”
RACHEL WHITEREAD, OPEN DOOR, 2007, COLLAGE AND PENCIL ON PAPER, 28X38CM. ESTIMATE £8,000–12,000.
Lord Dalmeny, Sotheby’s UK Chairman and Auctioneer for the Art for Grenfell sale said: "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 Art for Grenfell auction is at New Bond Street on Monday 16 October.
MAIN IMAGE: TRACEY EMIN , LOVING YOU MORE (2015), NEON, 35.8 X 140 CM, EDITION OF 10. ESTIMATE £25,000–35,000.
