Some of the UK’s most renowned figures have donated over 20 one-of-a-kind artworks and experiences to a special charity gala run by Christie’s auction house on Tuesday 3 October at Battersea Arts Centre. This includes Turner Prize winners Grayson Perry and Sir Anish Kapoor, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Channel 4 News Anchor Jon Snow.
As the countdown begins to the Grand Hall reopening in less than a year’s time, amongst the items up for auction there is a bespoke Battersea Arts Centre sculpture, intricate prints, drawings and etchings, money can’t buy tickets and tailor-made workshops. All going under the hammer to raise money for BAC. Funds raised will support the organisation through the final stretch without the Grand Hall as its largest income-generating space, following the fire that destroyed it in March 2015.
When Grayson Perry tweeted his dismay at the fire, it was discovered that he had a studio in the building’s basement in the 1980s. and the idea for the Charity Gala was born. The star lot of the auction will be Grayson’s generously created ceramic sculpture that depicts BAC’s old town hall with his beloved childhood teddy bear, Alan Measles, stood proudly at the entrance.
Entitled ‘Fucking Art Centre’, the playful and provocative sculpture plays homage to Grayson’s style of poking fun at the art establishment.
He stated: ‘Battersea Arts Centre were good enough to let me use their basement as a studio for a year or two, so the least I could do is help them out now!’.
With the reopening of the Grand and Lower Halls just around the corner, it is hoped that the Gala will get BAC across the finish line, ready to open it’s doors to reveal a new exciting cultural and civic building in London. For more information visit: bac.org.uk/gala
Image Credit: Yinka Shonibare: The-Swing-of-the-Headless
