An art auction held by Sotheby’s to raise money for survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire has raised a massive £1.9, double the estimated figure. 31 pieces of art were donated by artists including Tracey Emin, Wolfgang Tillmans, Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor, with Emin’s neon Loving You More (2015) fetching the highest figure of £135,000.
The auction was organised by film producer Hamish McAlpine and arts consultant Katie Heller, who reached out to the artists for donations in the aftermath of the disaster. Of the auction, they said, “No one should have had to suffer the trauma that these people have endured. It is only right that we should do all we can to help in any way that we can and the artists have responded with immense generosity and goodwill.”
Sotheby’s waived their usual fees for holding an auction, ensuring that the majority of the proceeds will go to straight to the survivors. Kensington-based Charity Rugby Portobello Trust will ensure the money is fairly divided between them all.