Rashid Johnson Painting Raises Funds in Support of ClientEarth

In July this year, Arts industry lobbyists Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), global auction house Christie’s, and environmental charity ClientEarth launched Artists for ClientEarth: a landmark collaborative initiative designed to propel the art world in the fight against climate change. Exceptional works by major international artists are for auction in Christie’s 20th / 21st Century marquee sales in London, New York and Hong Kong over the next year, generously donated by the artists and their galleries to raise funds directly in support of ClientEarth. At Christie’s New York sale on 9 November, Rashid Johnson’s work ‘Bruise Painting “Or Down You Fall”’ far exceeded estimates, selling after nearly five minutes of competitive bidding for $2,550,000, establishing a new record for the artist at auction. Ahead of the second auction for Artists for ClientEarth, James Thornton, CEO, said: ‘We are blown away and humbled by the generosity of all those involved in Artists for ClientEarth. The proceeds from Rashid Johnson’s ‘Bruise Painting “Or Down You Fall”’ will go directly to support our work using the power of the law to fight the great environmental challenges of our time.’ ‘This auction takes place during the second week of COP26, where pivotal climate conversations are taking place. Communicating the urgency of tackling climate change and nature loss has never been more important than right now. Art and artists have extraordinary potential to push boundaries and to lead society in imagining a better future for us all.’ ‘We send a huge and heartfelt thank you to Rashid Johnson and Hauser & Wirth. Donations big and small are what enable us to use the law to create radical change that protects our planet.’ Artists for ClientEarth will continue over the coming months, with the next sale in Hong Kong on 1 December 2021. Further artists still to be announced will be presented in the February and June sales in 2022.