Release: YBAs donate works in support of new gallery at Goldsmiths
YBAs donate works in support of new gallery at Goldsmiths
- Alumni including Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Oscar winner Steve McQueen donate works in support of new gallery
- Christie’s Auction to take place during Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on 12th February
London – Goldsmiths’ illustrious alumni including Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Julian Opie, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Steve McQueen have donated works to a special Christie’s auction in aid of raising money to build a new gallery at Goldsmiths, University of London, a leading centre for teaching and research in the visual arts in the UK.
During the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Auction on 12th February 2015, Christie’s will offer works including Damien Hirst’s Ipratropium Bromide (estimate: £250,000 - £350,000), Sarah Lucas’ Nahuiolin (estimate: £120,000 - £180,000) and Antony Gormley’s Another Time XX (estimate: £120,000 - £180,000) in support of the £2.8 million needed to build The Gallery at Goldsmiths, all of which will be funded by external donations.
Over the last 25 years Goldsmiths graduates have been instrumental in turning contemporary art into one of the most dynamic art forms in British culture with 30 nominees and seven winners of The Turner Prize as well as a host of hugely influential figures in contemporary art. The Gallery at Goldsmiths will offer a unique, research-driven programme of exhibitions, projects and residencies which will reflect the dynamic culture of making and researching visual art at Goldsmiths by acting as a laboratory, generating new art works, new exhibitions and new research projects that have international recognition and significance.
The new gallery design by Assemble – a London-based architecture collective - will incorporate the black steel water tanks originally used for the Laurie Grove baths, directly opposite the Ben Pimlott Building on Goldsmiths’ campus. The design will expose the hidden character of the Laurie Grove bath tanks and create a unique opportunity to welcome the public to Goldsmiths, enabling them to experience both the tanks and existing building in new and exciting ways.
Francis Outred, Christie’s Head of Post-War & Contemporary Art, Europe, said: “Art schools are the foundation of the now global industry of the art world and Goldsmiths has inspired three successive generations of artists, who in their turn have brought about a sea-change of interest in contemporary art, first in London and then around the globe. This has impacted not just the art world but by extension the wider fabric of our society. With Steve McQueen winning the Oscar for Best Film last year and Sarah Lucas representing Britain at the Venice Biennale this year, the alumni of Goldsmiths continue to penetrate and influence global culture. Challenging their students to think in new ways lies at the heart of their education and the gallery at Goldsmith’s is yet another innovation which will create a platform for broader thinking. It will also provide the London borough of Lewisham with its first established international gallery, a hub for the local community. It is an honour for Christie’s to be able to assist with this project. We look forward to welcoming all members of the public to the exhibition at King Street with outstanding works at all price levels. Every bidder will be contributing to the future of the creative industries in Britain.”
Richard Noble, Head of the Department of Art at Goldsmiths, commented: “The Gallery will open a new and important chapter in Goldsmiths’ history. We want to build it to acknowledge the hugely important legacy of our alumni, and to ensure that future generations of artists get the inspiration and support they need to keep London at the centre of the contemporary art world for the next century.”
John Diviney │ 020 7936 1290 │ christies2@brunswickgroup.com
Alex Deyzac | 020 7389 2265 | adeyzac@christies.com
For more information on the Gallery at Goldsmiths project:
Elizabeth Flanagan │ 07951 963 146 │
Sarah Cox │ 0207 919 7970 │ s.cox@gold.ac.uk
Images available on request
Editor’s Notes
About Goldsmiths, University of London
Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London is an institution with a rich academic history, known for its creative approach. Its 8,000-plus students are based on campus in the heart of south east London's New Cross community, studying undergraduate, postgraduate, teacher training and return-to-study courses in subjects covering the arts, social sciences, humanities and computing. For more information visit gold.ac.uk.
About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2013 that totaled £4.5 billion/ $7.1 billion, making it the highest annual total in Christie’s history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled £760.5 million ($1.19 billion) in 2013, an increase of 20% on the previous year.
Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.