New York, Apr 24: Iconic work by major Indian artists are up for auction in New York to benefit environmental and wildlife conservation efforts.
The artistic creation of Anish Kapoor and Bharti Kher would be up for sale at The 11th Hour Charity Auction, an evening sale on May 13 in New York, organised by Christie's in partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation for environmental charity, Christie's said in a statement.
Kapoor has created a sculpture, Untitled (2013), estimated at $450,000-550,000, which is reminiscent of planet Earth. It was especially created for the auction.
Another highlight of the sale is an outstanding masterpiece by famous artist Bharti Kher, The Skin Speaks a Language Not its Own, 2006.
This work, one of the three unique sculptures, is the last remaining in private hands, the other two are held in museums.
Estimated at $1.8-2.5 million, the work has been widely exhibited around the world and has become the ultimate icon of Indian contemporary art.
The enduring fascination that this sculpture wields in part derives from its relationship with India itself: a life size model of an elephant covered in applied bindis appears as a monumental tribute to India.
The sale will also feature top-tier works by 31 other leading contemporary artists including Banksy, Peter Beard, George Condo, Zeng Fanzhi, Urs Fischer, Mark Grotjahn, Andreas Gursky, Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabeland Rudolf Stingel.
“...We are grateful that Christie's and the participating artists are providing this incredible opportunity,” DiCaprio said.
The funds raised through this sale will support innovative conservation projects that protect some of the last wild places on Earth, the endangered species that inhabit them, and the people whose welfare depends upon them.
