George Michael Auction Generates over $10 million - Noise11.com
George Michael photo by Ros OGorman

George Michael photo by Ros OGorman

George Michael Auction Generates over $10 million

by Music-News.com on March 19, 2019

in News

The much-anticipated auction of the art collection of George Michael, British singer and songwriter, and icon of the imaginative spirit of the 1980s and 1990s, has realised £9,264,000 / $12,302,590 / €10,848,145. Proceeds from the sale will be used to continue George Michael’s philanthropic work.

Having attracted over 12,000 visitors to the pre-sale exhibition, 24% of registrants to The George Michael Collection were new to Christie’s. The evening auction welcomed registered bidders from 27 countries across 5 continents, reflecting the global appeal of George Michael and the YBAs. The evening sale comprised 60 lots and was 100% sold, with competitive bidding in the saleroom in London and via simulcast from New York, in addition to online via Christie’s LiveTM. The standalone online sale continues until lunchtime on Friday 15th March, after which point the combined total realised will be announced.

Jussi Pylkkänen, Global President of Christie’s, and auctioneer for the night commented: “Tonight’s sale was another great moment for the London art market and particularly for so many YBA artists. We are delighted to have organised this landmark auction of The Collection of George Michael. An innovative collaboration with the Trustees of the George Michael Estate, we have witnessed significant footfall from fans and collectors alike to the exhibition. To realise such a significant sum, with proceeds from the sale being used to continue George Michael’s philanthropic work, is what we’ve all been working towards. We hope the charities who will ultimately benefit will be pleased with the outcome.”

Cristian Albu, Co-Head Post-War & Contemporary of Christie’s, added: “It has been an honour to have been entrusted with The George Michael Collection, a celebration of creativity and adventure, representing an extraordinary period in British culture. We are thrilled to have achieved such a strong result with the evening sale, and with bidding still continuing online until lunchtime on Friday, we’re now looking forward to the overall total.”

George Michael’s Trustees remarked: “Philanthropic work was hugely important for George during his lifetime and it was his wish that this work would continue after his passing. We are delighted with the outcome of the evening sale, raising £9,264,000 / $12,302,590 / €10,848,145.”

A world auction record was established for Jim Lambie with Careless Whisper realising £175,000 / $232,400 / €204,925, over ten times its presale estimate. Further artist records were set with A Couple of Differences Between Thinking and Feeling II by Angus Fairhurst, which sold for £118,750 / £157,700 / €139,056, Incurable Romantic Seeks Dirty Filthy Whore by Harland Miller, which achieved £237,500 / $315,400 / €278,113 and Relationships II by James White, which realised £22,500 / $29,880 / €26,348. Records in the medium were achieved for a Tracey Emin painting and an Angus Fairhurst collage.

One of the most influential and best-selling recording artists of all time, George Michael’s private art collection represented a dialogue with his own British contemporaries, artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Michael Craig-Martin, and Marc Quinn, who rose to prominence by challenging the status quo of the time, together creating the Young British Art movement. Through visits to galleries and artists’ studios, he developed friendships with many of the YBA artists whose work he deeply admired.

Key works from The George Michael Collection were unveiled during the global highlights tour which began in New York, and continued on to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The complete collection has been on public view at Christie’s King Street, London from 9 March, with catalogues and limited-edition tote bags raising over £250,000 in additional proceeds to continue George Michael’s philanthropic works.

Follow Noise11 on Twitter for news as it happens

For news as it happens follow Noise11 on Facebook

Noise11.com

Listen to the Noise11 Music News channel now at iHeartRadio

Related Posts

Orchestral Manoeuvers In The Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark Breakthrough Hit ‘Enola Gay’ Almost Wasn’t Released As A Single

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark’s breakthrough hit song ‘Enola Gay’ almost went unreleased as a single.

8 hours ago
The Edge, U2 perform at Etihad Stadium.
U2 New Music On The Way

U2 are "in a great place creatively". Guitarist The Edge has teased that U2 are planning to drop a new song imminently after wading through new material.

20 hours ago
Icehouse at One Electric Day 19 November 2023 photo by Winston Robinson, Noise11
Icehouse Play First Show Of 2025 For Red Hot Summer

Series one of Red Hot Summer for 2025 is underway with Icehouse headlining dates through to 29 March before series two is handed over to ZZ Top and George Thorogood.

1 day ago
The Waterboys Life Death and Dennis Hopper
The Waterboys To Release Dennis Hopper Concept Album

The Waterboys next album ‘Life, Death and Dennis Hopper’ is a concept album telling the story of the iconic actor Dennis Hopper.

1 day ago
Bono and U2. image by Ros O'Gorman
Joe Biden Awards Bono Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Joe Biden has awarded U2’s Bono the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

3 days ago
Redd Kross
More Screenings Announced For Redd Kross Documentary

A new documentary ‘Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story’ has opened in Los Angeles and will move to more cinemas across North America in January and February.

6 days ago
Bonnie Tyler photo by Ros O'Gorman
Timeless Summer Tour With Boy George and Bonnie Tyler Cancelled in Australia

The upcoming Timeless Summer Tour featuring Boy George, Tony Hadley, Bonnie Tyler and Mickey Thomas of Starship has been cancelled.

6 days ago