Art for Better

Hauser & Wirth raises $4,585,000 for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, through first online auction, Art for Better.

^{* Record set for scale of the work}

Hauser & Wirth today announced that its first philanthropic online auction of works donated by gallery artists has raised $4,585,000, with all proceeds going to support UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s work in providing life-saving assistance to the 103 million people who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict, war and persecution. The auction is Hauser & Wirth’s latest initiative under the gallery’s ‘Art for Better’ banner, created to platform an ongoing series of philanthropic projects with local, regional and international impact.

All of the twelve offered lots were sold at the auction, with highlights including a new painting by Avery Singer titled ‘Happening’ (2022), which sold for $1,400,000, and Rashid Johnson’s ‘Bruise Painting “Pure Love”’ (2021), an exemplary work from the artist’s new series, which sold for $1,200,000.

All artworks were generously donated by gallery artists Rita Ackermann, Larry Bell, Frank Bowling, George Condo, Martin Creed, Estate Günther Förg, Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Angel Otero, Thomas J Price, Avery Singer and Anj Smith.

Iwan Wirth said:
​‘Our first online auction has exceeded our expectations by raising a total of $4,585,000 for UNHCR, over double our fundraising goal. This remarkable result is a testament to the extraordinary generosity of our artists and the global network of collectors who have supported this essential humanitarian cause at a time when help is so greatly needed.’

Shirin Pakfar, Global Chief of Private Partners and Philanthropy (PPH) at UNHCR said:
​‘UNHCR is deeply grateful to the team at Hauser & Wirth, the artists who so generously donated their prized artworks and the winning art collectors for coming together to support refugees.’ ​
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​12 / 12 lots sold (sale total USD 4,585,000)

Avery Singer, ‘Happening’, 2022, new record set for USD 1,400,000

Acrylic on canvas stretched over aluminum panel, 153 x 127.6 x 5.4 cm / 60 1/4 x 50 1/4 x 2 1/8 in © Avery Singer. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Lance Brewer

Rashid Johnson, ‘Bruise Painting "Pure Love"’, 2021, new record set for USD 1,200,000

Oil on linen, 121.9 x 91.4 x 4.3 cm / 48 x 36 x 1 3/4 in © Rashid Johnson. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Stephanie Powell

George Condo, ‘Invasion’, 2022, sold for USD 650,000

Ink wash, crayon and graphite on paper, 102.9 x 152.4 cm / 40 1/2 x 60 in © George Condo. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Thomas Barratt

Rita Ackermann, ‘Red Dots’, 2022, new record set for USD 400,000

Oil, acrylic and pigment on linen, 177.8 x 127 cm / 70 x 50 in © Rita Ackermann. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Thomas Barratt

Angel Otero, ‘Curtains of a Silent Window’, 2022, sold for USD 250,000

Oil paint and fabric collaged on canvas, 182.9 x 121.9 x 3.8 cm / 72 x 48 x 1 1/2 in © Angel Otero. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Thomas Barratt

Frank Bowling, ‘Crossings: East West Tunnel’, 2011, sold for USD 180,000

Acrylic and acrylic gel on canvas with marouflage, 80.3 x 70 cm / 31 5/8 x 27 1/2 in © Frank Bowling. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2022. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Damian Griffiths

Larry Bell, ‘Ukraine’, 2022, sold for USD 150,000

Metal coated laminated glass, 30.8 x 30.8 x 30.8 cm / 12 1/8 x 12 1/8 x 12 1/8 in © Larry Bell. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Keith Lubow

Anj Smith, ‘Untitled (Mayday)’, 2011 – 2020, new record set for USD 120,000

Oil on linen, 38.6 x 48.6 x 2.5 cm / 15 1/4 x 19 1/8 x 1 in © Anj Smith. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth

Günther Förg, ‘Untitled’, 2006, sold for USD 70,000

Acrylic on wood, 45 x 55 x 0.8cm / 17 3/4 x 21 5/8 x 3/8 in © Estate Günther Förg, Suisse / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2022. Courtesy the Estate Günther Förg, Suisse. Photo: Jon Etter

Thomas J Price, ‘Untitled (Icon 3)’, detail, 2017, sold for USD 60,000

24 ct gold leafed aluminium composite, Italian slate base on quartzite plinth, 144.5 x 23 x 23 cm / 56 7/8 x 9 x 9 in © Thomas J Price. Courtesy the artist & Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Ken Adlard

Martin Creed, ‘Work No. 669 FRIENDS’, 2007, sold for USD 55,000

Neon flashing 7 seconds on, 7 seconds off, 15 x 92 cm / 5 7/8 x 36 1/4 in © Martin Creed. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2021. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Mike Bruce

Glenn Ligon, ‘Study for Negro Sunshine (Red) #63’, 2022, sold for USD 50,000

Oil stick, coal dust and acrylic on paper, 30.5 x 22.9 cm / 12 x 9 in © Glenn Ligon. Courtesy of the artist, Hauser & Wirth, New York, Regen Projects, Los Angeles, Thomas Dane Gallery, London and Chantal Crousel, Paris. Photo: Thomas Barratt

About UNHCR ​
​UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency leads international action to protect people forced to flee because of conflict and persecution. They deliver life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, help safe- guard fundamental human rights and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future.

For more information about the work of UNHCR see www.unhcr.org

About Hauser & Wirth
​Hauser & Wirth was founded in 1992 in Zurich by Iwan Wirth, Manuela Wirth and Ursula Hauser, who were joined in 2000 by Partner and President Marc Payot and CEO Ewan Venters in 2020. A family business with a global outlook, Hauser & Wirth has expanded over the past 30 years to include outposts in Hong Kong, London, New York, Southampton, Los Angeles, Somerset, Menorca, Mona- co, Zurich, Gstaad and St. Moritz. The gallery represents over 90 artists and estates who have been instrumental in shaping its identity and who are the inspiration for Hauser & Wirth’s diverse range of activities that engage with art, learning, conservation and sustainability.

Press Contacts:

​Chloe Kinsman, Hauser & Wirth
​chloe@hauserwirth.com
​+447780904011 (EU)

Rachel John, SUTTON
​rachelj@suttoncomms.com
​+44 7808 039 664 (EU)

Andrea Schwan, Andrea Schwan Inc.
​info@andreaschwan.com
​+1 917 371 5023 (USA)