Hirst draws A-list artists to donate to AIDS auction

05.12.2007 19:00 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

British bad boy artist Damien Hirst and dozens of other well-known artists are donating works to a Valentine's Day auction that will benefit HIV-AIDS programs in Africa.

Hirst is working with U2 lead singer Bono and his RED organization, which funds programs for HIV and AIDS treatment.

Hirst was able to convince artists such as Keith Tyson, Michael Craig-Martin, Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns, Matthew Barney, Georg Baselitz, Cecily Brown and Douglas Gordon to contribute to the auction.

Sotheby's auction house is expected to raise more than $40 million US in the sale, to be held in New York on Feb. 14, 2008.

More than 100 pieces will be on offer, all inspired by the colour red.

Hirst, known for his diamond skull and pickled shark works, has donated seven pieces, including a pill cabinet, titled Where There's a Will There's a Way, filled with red-painted antiretroviral drugs.

It is similar to a cabinet with colored pills that sold for $19.2 million US in June.

"Money is a key and what we raise from this auction will make a huge difference for a lot of people," said Hirst, Britain's wealthiest contemporary artist.

"For a relatively small amount of effort on each artist's part we can actually save many lives. It's great to be able to give something back and make a difference."

Hirst also contributed a piece depicting a red heart with dead butterflies stuck in gloss paint, called All You Need Is Love, valued at more than $1 million US and a red circular work, Beautiful RED Spin Painting, valued as high as $800,000.

Bono called the sale a historic moment which brings together "the best collection of art from the best artists in the world."

In just one year, RED has become one of the key donors to the Global Fund, a UN foundation to combat AIDS, malaria and TB.

The artworks will be displayed at the Gagosian Gallery in New York Feb. 4-13 ahead of the sale.

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