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Halsey’s Onstage Paintings Offered in “Contemporary Discoveries”
The multi-Platinum artist speaks about five paintings she made onstage, auctioned to support the National Network of Abortion Funds.
F ive paintings by the multi-Platinum, genre-bending artist Halsey are coming to auction between 8–19 July as part of Contemporary Discoveries. Halsey created each work onstage while on her Love and Power tour, within the confines of a 3-minute song, as she performed for thousands of fans — much as she did when she hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live in 2019.
Fans and collectors alike will be able to bid on five works from Halsey’s shows on 12 May in Gulf Shores, AL, 24 May in Nashville, TN, 27 May in Detroit, MI, 1 June in Boston, MA, and 18 June in Portland, OR. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the National Network of Abortion Funds.
Sotheby’s was delighted to hear from Halsey in advance of the auction and learn more about their artistic practice, as well as some of their favorite pieces from the Contemporary Discoveries sale.
“In the same way that I write a song, it starts as one thought and unravels into a string of them.”
— Halsey
Can you tell us how you became inspired to start creating visual art?
I have been making visual art since I could hold a pen and a brush; it has always been my first love and my favorite artistic medium. I moved a lot growing up — I was really lonely and I often found it easier to express myself through images rather than conversation.
What is your preferred artistic medium to work in? Is there any medium that you have not yet experimented with that you would be interested to try?
Preferred artist medium: pen, ink, acrylics. I would love to spend more time with oils in the future, but I am not quite sure I am patient enough.
How does your visual artistic practice relate to your music and songwriting?
They are both very stream of consciousness. I do a lot of continuous line drawings, and in the same way that I write a song, it starts as one thought and unravels into a string of them. I write and draw about similarly dark themes. I write mostly about people and I mostly enjoy drawing people.
Are there any exciting pieces or projects that you are working on currently?
I am looking forward to getting home from the tour and finishing the long roster of works and projects waiting for me at the house. I would love to do a full show with a proper theme and concept one day in the near future.
