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| Keith Haring, CityKids Speaks on Education, 1989, Acrylic paint on cotton tarpaulin canvas, Signed centre of canvas, measures 247 x 247 cm (97 ¼ x 97 ¼ in) framed size. |
Keith Haring leads the company of global Urban Contemporary artists at an extraordinary auction and art event at the Druout Building in Paris in October.
Haring’s work is joined by the legion of work from the medium’s mavens - that of Banksy, Nick Walker, Os Gemeos, Blek le Rat, Swoon, Sheperd Fairey, KAWS and more.
In a philanthropic twist to the auction, two of the leading pieces will benefit a charity close to the community’s heart. Keith Haring was a founder and leading light of New York kid’s charity CityKids, and Shepard Fairey continues with his own generous support of the organisation to this day. Fairey has, as Haring, did, worked on street boards with CityKids.
The sale of Shepard Fairey’s “CityKids” (estimated €30-40,000) will ensure a percentage to the charity. And a unique Haring work “CityKids Speak on Education” (1989) comes on the open market for the first time at the sale. The sale of the Keith Haring work will help CityKids reach even more children. The estimate for the piece €300,000-400,000.
Haring’s seminal work “Sneeze” will also be at auction, as will Fairey’s work “War is Over”, estimated at €30-40,000.
Banksy’s “Sid Vicious” represents the heart and soul of the British graffiti scene. Born of a uniquely English culture, the piece represents an innate partnership in subversive culture. Estimated at €60-80,000 euros.
Fresh from the controversial MTV VMA’s, and his re-imagined 60ft MTV Moonman, KAWS will be represented in the sale with a work valued at €40-60,000 euros.
Nick Walker’s piece “Paris: The Morning After”, seen as a key piece in the sale, reflects both the location - an unforgettable stencil rendering of the City of Light, and the artist’s own growth into an internationally recognised talent. This canvas lends itself as a leading example of Nick Walker’s talent and creativity as a street artist, with his calculated choice of colour placement and concentrated detail in the vernacular architecture. Estimated at €10-12,000.
Os Gemeos aka Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo’s work stands alone in uniquely identifiable style in the Urban Contemporary market. Their influence on the Brazilian market and culture alone makes them one of the most sought after names. Characters with yellow tinged skin are a signature, as their murals on the other end of the spectrum - diverse and colourful. “Untitled - Boat Installation” offers an important work in the collection. The piece was first seen at the Havana Biennale in 2006, and recognises the efforts of Cubans’ creativity in creating means across the sea to Florida. Estimated at €20-30,000.
The sale will be launched with an exhibition in Area 13 of Paris, and then returns to the Druout building, where some of the world’s leading urban artists will then paint boards in front of the building on Thursday 24 October at 1100am.
The artists participating in the live painting include Nick Walker, Logan Hicks and Mear One. The works and action in progress will be photographed by legendary street photographer Martha Cooper.
A talk inside the Druout will feature some of the biggest female names in Urban Contemporary art - Martha Cooper, Agnes B and Valeriane Mondot, chaired by Marielle Digard and Mary McCarthy. This begins at 11am.
Representatives from CityKids themselves will be at the Druout on Thursday 24 October at 1400 to talk about the organisation, the art and the work of CityKids.
Digard Auctions and MM Contemporary Arts host the international Urban Contemporary art sale at Hotel Druout in Paris on Friday 25 October 2013 to coincide with Fiac.
View the full catalogue of works for sale here.
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| Banksy, Sid Vicious, circa 2000, Spray paint and stencil on canvas, Stencilled with artist signature verso |
