Beatriz Milhazes, O hippie, 2014, Collage of various papers and plastic on cardboard 70 x 51 cm, Courtesy the artist. Photographer: Motivo
Ikon’s 50th anniversary celebrations culminated with Artists for Ikon, an exhibition and auction at Sotheby's London to support Ikon’s 50th Anniversary Endowment Fund. The auction achieved £785,375 selling worked donated by internationally renowned artists, all of whom have previously exhibited at the gallery.
Director Jonathan Watkins commented: "We are delighted to have raise £785,375 so far towards Ikon's 50th Anniversary Investment Fund, which will be dedicated to the gallery's artistic programme and the commissioning of new work. The buyers have not only invested in contemporary art - vital for the well-being of cultural life in this country - but also made invaluable donations to a charitable cause. The strength of the sales, from artists who have all previously exhibited at Ikon, bears testament to the continuing quality and relevance of our artistic programme since it started fifty years ago. The generosity embodies in the Sotheby's auction, particularly that of the artists involved, signifies a heart-warming faith in the future."
The exhibition and auction was produced in collaboration with Artwise, and supported by Alycidon Capital Limited and Sotheby's. In addition, Plinth, producers of high quality editioned artworks, worked with Ikon and five participating artists. Available from Ikon Shop, prices start from £200 and a commission on sales will augment money raised by the auction.
Exhibiting artists include: Hurvin Anderson, Giovanni Anselmo, Fiona Banner, David Batchelor, Christiane Baumgartner, Martin Creed, Ian Davenport, Richard Deacon, Ding Yi, AK Dolven, Marcel Dzama, Semyon Faibisovich, Matias Faldbakken, Bernard Frize, Ryan Gander, Antony Gormley, Arturo Herrera, Carmen Herrera, Roger Hiorns, Lee Bul, Elizabeth Magill, Beatriz Milhazes, François Morellet, Dennis Oppenheim, Julian Opie, Cornelia Parker, Giuseppe Penone, Imran Qureshi, George Shaw, Amikam Toren, Zhang Enli.
Exhibition at Ikon Gallery, Birmingham: 24 April – 4 May 2015
Auction Preview at Sotheby's, London: 27 June - 1 July 2015
Auction, Sotheby’s London: Thursday 2 July 2015
Visit www.ikon-gallery.org for more information. Auction catalogue can be viewed here: www.sothebys.com
Installation shot at Sotheby's London
Martin Creed, Work No.671 FRIENDS, 2007 © Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Stuart Whipps
Auctioneer Alex Branczik at Sotheby's London
Artists for Ikon 50th Anniversary publication, published by Ikon
