“Top-end” works to feature at Goldsmiths auction

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Famous Goldsmiths’ alumni including Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Steve McQueen have donated works valued up to £350,o00 to Christie’s auction which will take place tomorrow.

At tomorrow’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale Christie’s will offer works including  Damien Hirst’s Ipratropium Bromide (estimated at £250,000 – £350,000), Sarah Lucas’ Nahuiolin (estimated at £120,000 – £180,000) and Antony Gormley’s Another Time XX (estimated at £120,000 – £180,000). Nearly £3 million is needed to support a new gallery investment that will be based on the Goldsmiths campus.

Richard Noble, Head of the Department of Art at Goldsmiths, told Eastlondonlines: “The works the artists have donated represent the top end of what they do. Sarah Lucas has donated one of the best sculptures she has ever done and Damien Hirst has given us a spot painting and a spin painting – both of which are very valuable.”

He also explained that the new gallery will be the first major cultural institution to be built in Lewisham. He said: “It will bring a major venue for contemporary art that will show various artists from around the world and bring them together to Goldsmiths.”

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Christie’s is one of the world’s most prestigious art business and fine arts auctions house. The aim of the auction is to raise funds for a new gallery based at Goldsmiths.

Sir Anthony Gormley said: “The arrival of a gallery is an important moment in the development of Goldsmiths.  This will become a resource for the university and for London: a place where students and the wider public can experience and test-drive new forms of art as well as see relevant examples of art from the past, ancient and modern.”

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Art in the gallery. Pic: Anna Senkara

Visual artist Julian Opie, said: “I loved my time at Goldsmiths in the early 80s and am very happy to offer a specially made painting to help raise funds for the new gallery. I feel I owe a great deal to the institution and the teachers, technicians, and students I met whilst there.”

Video by Anna Senkara and Veronica Handeland

 

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