Julian Opie

Lisson Gallery, London, where acquired by the present owner in October 2002

Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, Remix: Contemporary Art and Pop, 25th May - 26th August 2002.

Daniel Kurjakovic, Julian Opie: Portraits 1997-2002, Codax Publisher, Zurich, 2003, illustrated (unpaginated);
Lucius Grisebach (intro.), Julian Opie, Neuesmuseum, Nuremberg, 2004, illustrated p.72.

The vinyl is in good original condition. There is a slight crease in the upper right corner and a fine layer of surface dust and a few spots of surface dirt in the middle along the upper edge. There are a few tiny abrasions, including a mark along the lower edge near the lower left corner, a minor abrasion along the lower right edge and to the figure's collar on the left. There are a few airpockets on the figure's face and in the upper right corner. Otherwise, the work is in good overall condition. This work is unframed. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work is part of a series produced by Opie for the cover of Blur: The Best of. Damon exists in three versions and the present work is the largest (the medium sized version is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London).

It is particularly apt that the present work is being sold to aid The African Arts Trust, for following Damon Albarn's time as the front man of Blur, he has actively supported and promoted West African music. He released Mali Music in 2002, a collaboration with Mali musicians including Ko Kan Ko Sata, Afel Bocoum, and Toumani Diabaté & Friends, following a support trip he made on behalf of Oxfam's On the Line Project.

In an interview for the BBC Albarn stated: 'I was approached by Oxfam to go to Mali as their ambassador and get involved in their various initiatives out there, but I felt that was missing the point of using me, a musician.'

Slightly uncomfortable in a political position, Albarn sought to promote cross-cultural exchanges through connections with local musicians. Mali has for the last several hundred years produced an incredible number of extraordinary musicians, and the resulting musical album was a project which further spurred Albarn's passion for African music.

Albarn has since recorded music in Nigeria with African drummer Tony Allen and in 2006 he organized a trip to Bamako, the capital of Mali, wherein invitees such as Fatboy Slim and Martha Wainwright collaborated and performed with some of the country's most respected musicians.  He has also organized Africa Express, a collaboration between various artists, which promotes the African music scene through live shows, which have thus far taken place in the United Kingdom, France and Nigeria.