Leading artists donate work to Grenfell Tower Benefit Auction

ARTISTS from across the UK have donated works to an online auction hosted by the art-buying website Artsy starting July 18 and ending August 1 to benefit the people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire disaster.

The auction is the idea of Lucy Meakin, an art advisor, who used to live locally to the tower and, after the fire broke out, called her former neighbours. She decided to get a group of artists together to raise money for the people affected after hearing one of her former neighbours describe losing a friend in the fire.

Art auction for Grenfell

Ian Davenport’s donated Colour Splat Cloud

The idea has grown and the sale will now have 25 artists contributing on July 18 including contemporary artists Cornelia Parker, Tracey Emin, Ian Davenport, Michael Craig-Martin, The Chapman Brothers and more. For some of the artists involved, such as Robert Violette and Juergen Teller, the fire has struck a chord closer to home, because their west London studios look out directly onto the tower itself. The quick response of artists to donate or create works goes to show the effect he effect that the Grenfell Tower fire has had on the wider London community.

Art auction for GrenfellMichael Craig-Martin’s donated Sunglasses

For two weeks numerous prints and multiples, as well as original works of art and photographs will be available.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible in each case for those affected by the fire, with all proceeds from the sale going to the Dispossessed Fund set up by London’s Evening Standard newspaper.

by Ellen Watters

Images courtesy of the artists and Alan Cristea Gallery, London

The online auction starts July 18 and ends August 1. For more information and to bid, please visit here

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