Presenting works from Andy Warhol, Wolfgang Tillmans and more, Sotheby’s have teamed up with the boundary-pushing model, DJ and art wunderkind for their next ‘Contemporary Curated’ auction.
Now more than ever is it important to hold close to us what makes us happy. In the face of a global pandemic, when everything feels all too turbulent, art and culture are still bringing us bliss in swathes – and we couldn’t be more grateful.
And at the forefront of this mission – since 1744 – is boundary-pushing historical global art business Sotheby’s, curating and auctioning the world’s rarest, most exceptional treasures.
And now, this Autumn, for their ninth instalment of Contemporary Curated – an online sale of artworks from the most established to the next emerging generation of artists – Sotheby’s have tapped the talents of creative director, multi-disciplinary artist, model and collector Fai Khadra – bringing a fresh, youthful perspective to the oft ivory tower world of high-end art.
You might recognise him instantly as a household name regular in Los Angeles’ buzzy celeb scene as friends with the Kardashians, Hadids and Biebers. The son of an art collector, Los Angeles-born, London/Dubai-hailed Fai has long bridged his own love for art and design with music and fashion, crafting hypnotic stage design for the likes of Drake, Syd, Summer Walker and Buddy, as well as collaborating with fashion houses such as Dior, Alexander Wang, Moncler and Louis Vuitton. Boasting a staggering 1.9 million followers on Instagram (@yourboyfai), his tastes have always been drawn to creators who have broken, merged and pushed the boundaries in some manner – from Bruce Nauman to Kara Walker, Shigeko Kubota and Joseph Beuys, the latter of whom’s work will be offered as part of this auction.
Portraiture of Andy Warhol in drag, vibrant head-turning Damien Hirst, rare Keith Haring, and other provocative works from other boundary-pushers Ed Ruscha, Sam Francis, Bill Viola, Louise Bourgeois, Cindy Sherman, Wolfgang Tillmans and Gerhard Richter are among those that are most influential to Fai – and presented in this sale.
(LEFT) Andy Warhol Self Portrait in Drag 1981 est £10000-15000
(RIGHT) Keith Haring, Untitled, es. £100,000-150,000
Andy Warhol Self Portrait in Drag 1981 est £10000-15000
Keith Haring, Untitled, es. £100,000-150,000
“My love for art is something that came into my life at an early age,” explains Fai. “Having travelled and lived in different countries, I’ve been exposed to a multitude of artists, genres, mediums, you name it: from Islamic art to traditional Western art and finally contemporary art, which, for me, encompasses all the universes into one. I have always admired artworks and artists that challenge boundaries or provoke strong feelings. Artists that push me to reconsider the world it reflects or engages with, and I hope these pieces will similarly speak to all those who stand in front of them.”
“Great collections reflect the personality and life of great collectors and that is something I will always aspire to. I don’t believe an esteemed collection necessarily has to only comprise works by the giants of art history, but by artists who offer a different perspective. With this sale, I tried to include established, emerging and even new artists in hopes that it will give established and new collectors the opportunity to acquire pieces they might not have considered before.”
Open for bidding from 17–24 November on sothebys.com, ‘Contemporary Curated’ features over 145 works. With both established and emerging collectors in mind, the auction includes pieces that open for bidding at £2,000, providing art lovers the opportunity to acquire accessibly priced works by leading and rising contemporary artists.
Fai Khadra will be participating in a live virtual discussion on contemporary art with artist Sterling Ruby in honour of the ‘Contemporary Curated’ auction and Phaidon’s ‘Contemporary Artists’ series. They will be joined in conversation with Commissioning Editor at Phaidon, Michele Robecchi and Sotheby’s Ashkan Baghestani for the webinar on Wednesday 18 November at 6pm GMT. To tune in, visit sothebys.com/contemporaryconversations on the day.
(LEFT) Damien Hirst, Beautiful Mis-shapen purity clashing excitedly ourwads painting, est. £250,000-350,000
(MIDDLE) Ed Ruscha, Nightmares and Migraines, est. £280,000-350,000
(RIGHT) Tim Noble Sue Webster Golden Showers 2000
Damien Hirst, Beautiful Mis-shapen purity clashing excitedly ourwads painting, est. £250,000-350,000
(MIDDLE) Ed Ruscha, Nightmares and Migraines, est. £280,000-350,000
Tim Noble Sue Webster Golden Showers 2000