George Michael’s artworks sold for $12.2 million

By: AFP - 6 years ago

A collection of contemporary art owned by late pop idol George Michael, including works by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, has been sold for $12.2 million, Christie’s auction house said.

Michael was a keen collector of works by the Young British Art movement and developed friendships with many of the artists, visiting their galleries and studios.

A woman looks at “The Incomplete Truth” (2007) by English artist Damien Hirst during the 39th International Contemporary art fair Fiac on October 17, 2012 at the Grand Palais in Paris. The 2012 edition, which runs from October 18 to 21, 2012 at the Grand Palais, features more tha 180 exhibiting galleries and works from over 2,800 contemporary artists. AFP PHOTO JOEL SAGET (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

Christie’s billed the sale of more than 200 works as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for fans of the tradition-defying movement from the 1980s and 1990s.

“The Incomplete Truth”, a 2006 work by Hirst consisting of a dove preserved in formaldehyde, sold for £911,250 — below its estimated price of £1.0-1.5 million.

Proceeds of the auction will go towards Michael’s various philanthropic ventures, the auctioneers said.

The singer died of heart and liver problems on December 25, 2016 at the age of 53.

During his career, both with Wham! and later as a solo artist, Michael sold more than 100 million records and had a string of massive hits between 1983 and 1996.

Among his biggest hits were “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “Last Christmas” and “Faith”.