George Michael’s Personal Art Collection Goes to Auction
A carefully curated and deliberately provocative set of visual art pieces purchased by the pop star are now up for sale at Christie’s.
Through the exhibit, The George Michael Collection, Christie’s will auction 175 pieces of art from the personal collection of the late British icon. There are two separate auctions designed to give fans and collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the superstar’s choice artworks—once displayed in his homes—and to own a piece of cultural history. Proceeds from the sales will go toward continuing the singer-songwriter’s philanthropy.
“Philanthropic work was hugely important for George [Michael] during his lifetime and it was his wish that this work would continue after his passing,” Trustees of the Estate of George Michael said in a press release.
The George Michael Collection represents the musician’s interest and appreciation of multidisciplinary creative visual art forms. He was especially supportive of his British contemporaries in the Young British Art movement (YBA) who were coming of age in the art scene just as Michael was becoming a global superstar.
“The Art Collection of George Michael reflects the friendships built between one of the UK’s most acclaimed musical artists and the visual artists who were creating artworks at a seminal moment in British cultural history,” stated the Trustees of the Estate of George Michael.
The Grammy Award-winner and his former partner, Kenny Goss, discovered the YBA artists in the 1990’s and began collecting their work. In 2007, the two formed The Goss-Michael Foundation located in Dallas, Texas in order to sustain continued efforts in supporting contemporary British artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Michael Craig-Martin and Marc Quinn who are all included in Michael’s treasure trove of artistic works.
“The art collection was part of him. The YBAs’ openness and honesty about life, death and sex were a huge part of his world,” Goss stated on the Christie’s website.
I reached out to The Goss-Michael Foundation regarding its involvement in the curation of The George Michael Collection auction items and exhibit and did not hear back.
Works included in the auctions vary greatly in price. Jean Cocteau’s Untitled (Tête d’homme de profil) is the least expensive piece offered in the online auction with a beginning bid of $130.72 (100 pounds). While The Incomplete Truth by Damien Hirst is the most expensive piece offered during the evening auction with a beginning bid of $1.9 million (1.5 million pounds). Although it is unclear which charities the monies will support, Christie’s estimates that the sale of the musician’s art collection will see anywhere from $7.7 million (5.9 million pounds) to $11.4 million (8.7 million pounds) from both auctions combined.
Among the mix of works included in the Faith singer’s art collection is a piece by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol; both items are up for auction as well.
“George Michael was a much-admired creative genius of the music industry. Art from the private collection will provide a fascinating insight into the broader tastes of a man who was deeply admired all over the world,” Jussi Pylkkanen, Global President of Christie’s commented in a press release.
The George Michael Collection toured five cities around the world including New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Hong Kong before settling in London.
The online auction is March 8–15 and the main evening auction is March 14. The complete collection is open to the public for viewing and is free of charge. The evening auction is also free to attend, however, you must register online. And, if you are unable to see the collection in person there is a virtual tour that shows you around the Christie’s gallery in London from anywhere in the world.
The beloved British star’s longtime friend and manager, David Austin, was instrumental in working with the auction house to create the incredibly thorough and stunningly crafted interactive exhibit which includes art installations, videos, essays, music, testimonials, catalogues, postcards and a keepsake canvas tote bag.
The George Michael Collection is for sale by the Executors of the Estate of George Michael and the Trustees appointed by him under his will. George Michael died Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016. He was 53.
