© Martin Creed, ‘Work No. 669 FRIENDS’, 2007
As a part of its longstanding philanthropic framework, Hauser & Wirth will generously contribute 100% of proceeds from its first online auction, Art for Better, to support the humanitarian aid programmes of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
Proceeds from the auction will help UNHCR provide life-saving assistance to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
The auction includes important artwork donated by the gallery’s artists Rita Ackermann, Larry Bell, Frank Bowling, George Condo, Martin Creed, Estate Günther Förg, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Angel Otero, Thomas J Price, Avery Singer, and Anj Smith.
© Avery Singer Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Lance Brewer
“We are incredibly grateful to Hauser & Wirth and to all participating artists for standing with refugees and supporting our humanitarian work. This generous initiative comes at a critical time when the global number of forcibly displaced people has surged to 103 million women, men and children around the world. Support like this is vital in helping UNHCR teams to continue delivering emergency and long-term relief to people who have lost everything to conflict and persecution,” explained Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive, UK for UNHCR.
Donated artworks include sculptural works by Larry Bell, Thomas J Price and Martin Creed. Bell selected a deeply personal work, entitled ‘Ukraine’ (2022), that encapsulates the mesmerizing optical qualities and technical innovation that characterize the artist’s nesting box glass sculptures.
Additionally, Thomas J Price’s ‘Untitled (Icon 3)’ portrait head has also been donated to the auction. The piece is part of the artist’s extraordinary 2017 Untitled (Icon) series of gilded portrait heads. A collage of elements variously inspired by classical statuary and the countenances of friends and strangers, Price’s portrait head reframes expectations about sculpture, as well as Black masculinity.
© Larry Bell Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Keith Lubow
“This first online auction is part of our longstanding philanthropic framework at the gallery and has come about through conversations with our artists and our team. We see ourselves as members of a worldwide community, and our support of UNHCR is a way to participate in a humanitarian effort that transcends borders. We’re profoundly grateful to the artists – Rita Ackermann, Larry Bell, Frank Bowling, George Condo, Martin Creed, Estate Günther Förg, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Angel Otero, Thomas J Price, Avery Singer, and Anj Smith – who are so generously participating in this initiative,” said Iwan Wirth, President and co-founder of Hauser & Wirth Gallery.
© Thomas J Price Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Ken Adlard
The auction also includes Avery Singer’s ‘Happening’ (2022), a new work expanding on Singer’s dynamic visual rhetoric that employs the binary language of computer programs and industrial materials while engaging with the tradition of painting. Additional paintings and artworks are donated to the auction, including ‘Work No. 669 FRIENDS’ (2007) by Martin Creed, ‘Study for Negro Sunshine (Red) #63’ (2022) by Glenn Ligon, ‘Curtains of a Silent Window’ (2022) by Angel Otero, ‘Bruise Painting “Pure Love”’ (2021) by Rashid Johnson, ‘Untitled (Mayday)’ (2010 – 2011) by Anj Smith, ‘Untitled’ (2006) by Günther Förg, ‘Red Dots’ (2022) by Rita Ackermann, and ‘Crossings: East West Tunnel’ (2011), an outstanding example of Frank Bowling’s Crossing series and his ongoing exploration of the materiality of paint.
© Rita Ackermann Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Thomas Barratt
The Art for Better auction will run online from 6-13 December. To view the artwork, learn more or make a bid please visit the Hauser & Wirth website.
