LONDON.- Goldsmiths’ illustrious alumni including Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Julian Opie, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Steve McQueen have donated works to a special Christie’s auction in aid of raising money to build a new gallery at Goldsmiths, University of London, a leading centre for teaching and research in the visual arts in the UK.

During the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on 12th February 2015, Christie’s will offer works including Damien Hirst’s Ipratropium Bromide (estimate: £250,000 - £350,000), Sarah Lucas’ Nahuiolin (estimate: £120,000 - £180,000) and Antony Gormley’s Another Time XX (estimate: £120,000 - £180,000) in support of the £2.8 million needed to build The Gallery at Goldsmiths, all of which will be funded by external donations.

Over the last 25 years Goldsmiths graduates have been instrumental in turning contemporary art into one of the most dynamic art forms in British culture with 30 nominees and seven winners of The Turner Prize as well as a host of hugely influential figures in contemporary art. The Gallery at Goldsmiths will offer a unique, research-driven programme of exhibitions, projects and residencies which will reflect the dynamic culture of making and researching visual art at Goldsmiths by acting as a laboratory, generating new art works, new exhibitions and new research projects that have international recognition and significance.

The new gallery design by Assemble – a London-based architecture collective - will incorporate the black steel water tanks originally used for the Laurie Grove baths, directly opposite the Ben Pimlott Building on Goldsmiths’ campus. The design will expose the hidden character of the Laurie Grove bath tanks and create a unique opportunity to welcome the public to Goldsmiths, enabling them to experience both the tanks and existing building in new and exciting ways.

Francis Outred, Christie’s Head of Post-War & Contemporary Art, Europe, said: “Art schools are the foundation of the now global industry of the art world and Goldsmith’s has inspired three successive generations of artists, who in their turn have brought about a sea-change of interest in contemporary art, first in London and then around the globe. This has impacted not just the art world but by extension the wider fabric of our society. With Steve McQueen winning the Oscar for Best Director last year and Sarah Lucas representing Britain at the Venice Biennale this year, the alumni of Goldsmith’s continue to penetrate and influence global culture. Challenging their students to think in new ways lies at the heart of their education and the gallery at Goldsmith’s is yet another innovation which will create a platform for broader thinking. It will also provide the London borough of Lewisham with its first established international gallery, a hub for the local community. It is an honour for Christie’s to be able to assist with this project. We look forward to welcoming all members of the public to the exhibition at King Street with outstanding works at all price levels. Every bidder will be contributing to the future of the creative industries in Britain.”

Richard Noble, Head of the Department of Art at Goldsmiths, commented: “The Gallery will open a new and important chapter in Goldsmiths’ history. We want to build it to acknowledge the hugely important legacy of our alumni, and to ensure that future generations of artists get the inspiration and support they need to keep London at the centre of the contemporary art world for the next century.”