LONDON.- Phillips has partnered with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation to offer a selection of works in the London New Now auction on 15 December. Proceeds from the sale of these works will directly benefit the Foundation which focuses on hosting and supporting artist residencies, education, and professional development programmes in the UK and Nigeria. Ten contemporary artists including Claire Barclay, Olafur Eliasson, Antony Gormley, Chantal Joffe, Jason Martin, Conrad Shawcross, Yinka Shonibare, David Shrigley, Wolfgang Tillmans and Kara Walker have generously donated works to be offered at auction in aid of the Foundation. The selection notably includes rare to market works such as Antony Gormley’s 2018 STAY 1 (MEME) II and Yinka Shonibare’s 2019 Bird which comes from Shonibare’s body of quilt works which have never before been shown in London and will be launched in the New Now auction this December.

Simon Tovey, Head of New Now, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, said “Phillips is very proud to partner with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation to present this unique selection of works in the New Now auction on 15 December. The proceeds raised from the sale of these works will aid fundraising and strategic support for artist residencies, education, and professional development programmes in Lagos, Nigeria, amongst other initiatives. It is remarkable to think about how much the world has changed over the past year and how much we have learned to support one another. For the art market we hope that this is a new chapter where there is a greater engagement and perhaps an even bigger sense of community. We look forward to presenting collectors with the opportunity to participate in this important initiative to engage with this exceptional selection of rare works.”

Yinka Shonibare, CBE (RA), said “We are delighted to have such a well-established and important auction partner supporting the Foundation and deeply grateful to the contemporary artists that have joined us in our efforts by generously donating their work. It is our hope that the New Now auction this December will raise much needed funds to support emerging African and African Diaspora artists, giving them the valuable time, space and logistical support to develop their work amongst local and international peers and mentors in the UK and Nigeria. International exchange has a very strong value, especially in a world where there’s a great deal of conflict. We believe that going to see other cultures, and being creative with other cultures, is really a very positive way forward. It can be a true vehicle for social change. The selection to be offered in the New Now auction this December marks a significant first stage in our partnership with Phillips as we look ahead to future collaborations in support of the artist residency project.”