Look To The Stars News: Damien Hirst

Ken Watanabe Opens Artists For Japan Charity Auction

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Contemporary artist Takashi Murakami partnered with Christie’s Auction House yesterday to hold “Artists for Japan,” a specially-curated charity auction to benefit Japan earthquake and tsunami relief.

Takashi Murakami & Yumi Terahata, International Medical Corps Japan. Photo via International Medical Corps.

Stars Honor Elizabeth Taylor At Inspiration Gala

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Last week’s amfAR Inspiration Gala in LA – “A Celebration of Men’s Style” – welcomed some of the biggest stars and honored the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who helped created amfAR in 1985.

Alek Wek, Reca Group’s Paolo Diacci and Colin Farrell

Massive Greenpeace Celebrity Charity Auction Raises Money For Rainbow Warrior

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Celebrities from around the world are taking their commitment to save the planet to the next level to raise money for Greenpeace’s new flagship Rainbow Warrior. From backstage passes to private lunches you’ll see celebrities giving it up to the highest bidder in an attempt to raise money to pay for the world’s leading environmental organization’s new environmentally friendly ship.

Along with charitybuzz.com, the charity auction house, Greenpeace announced auctions of celebrity items to be held through September. The auction opens today and will run through to September 21st, at www.charitybuzz.com/greenpeace.

The Rainbow Warrior is Greenpeace’s first purpose-built vessel, and will play a key role in the fight to stop environmental destruction and promote sustainable solutions, allowing the organisation to continue bearing witness and taking action to prevent environmental crimes around the world. The ship will be ready to sail in Autumn 2011, to mark Greenpeace’s 40th anniversary.

Damien Hirst Puts The Squeeze On Charity

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

An exclusive set of instruments customized by Damien Hirst and created especially for British band Squeeze, will take centre stage when the band perform at Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on 22 March 2011.

Squeeze will be joined by a 30 piece orchestra and long-time friends and collaborators The Feeling, on the second night of Teenage Cancer Trust’s 2011 series of fundraising concerts at the iconic venue. 

 The Damien Hirst collection features two ‘Spot Guitars’, a Fender Telecaster and a Fender Stratocaster, as well as a Yamaha ‘Spot Drum Kit’. All the instruments are hand painted by Hirst with his iconic spot design and signed by the artist himself.

Stars Sign Letter Against Iranian Death Sentence

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Stars such as Sting, Colin Firth, Robert Redford and Robert De Niro are among the famous names who have signed a letter calling for the release of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery.

“Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has suffered enough,” reads the letter, published in the UK’s The Times newspaper. "Forced by international pressure to suspend her execution by stoning for alleged adultery, the Iranian government is now attempting to resurrect the charge that she murdered her husband – a charge for which she has already been tried.

“She has already spent five years in prison, and suffered 99 lashes, while the man who was convicted of her husband’s murder, and with whom she allegedly had an affair, is now free, having been pardoned by Ms Ashtiani’s children. We, the undersigned, call on the government of Iran to release immediately Ms Ashtiani, her son Sajad Ghaderzade, and her lawyer, Javid Houtan Kian, from incarceration.”

Damien Hirst Paints Guitar For Charity

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Canadian guitar-maker Carparelli has created a series of 10 guitars, each painted by well known artists, to be auctioned off to raise money for 10 charities.

The first of these unique guitars – to be auctioned later this year by Christies – was painted by British artist Damien Hirst. The guitar is expected to fetch close to $100,000 to benefit the War Child charity.

White Ties And Tiaras Dominate Elton John's Charity Ball

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Over 700 guests – including Peter André, David Walliams, Lara Stone, Lily Cole and Paloma Faith – attended Elton John’s annual White Tie and Tiara Charity Ball last week.

Held at Sir Elton’s home in Windsor, guests were treated to a performance by Lady Gaga, as well as an auction that included an Audi car hand-painted by Damien Hirst. The car raised £350,000, which contributed to the massive £5.6 million raised during the entire evening.

Money raised will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Other guests spotted at the event included Elizabeth Hurley and Shirley Bassey.

Charitybuzz Launches A Bid To Save The Earth

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Christie’s Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth will be laying out the green carpet for celebrities who are lending their star power for a bid to save the earth.

Celebrities are turning out to be among the biggest players in philanthropy in 2010. The Green Auction exemplifies what can be achieved when a fantastic mix of people from various industries, unite for one purpose: to advocate for the environment.

The Clash Remembered In Charity Christmas Cards

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Joe Strummer is generally regarded as one of punk’s break-through stars, taking his band The Clash from obscurity to the heights of rock in the 1970’s. Now the last ever hand-painted Christmas card by the late rock icon is being used to raise money for the charity set up in his name.

Strummerville was established with the help of Damien Hirst to “reflect Joe’s unique contribution to the music world by offering support, resources and performance opportunities to artists who would not normally have access to them”. The charity has announced it will sell cards featuring the final drawing to raise money before Christmas, along with a tribute album titled “Winter Sessions Showcase Album 2009.”

Strummer died of heart complications in 2002. He helped set up Future Forests – now known as The Carbon Neutral Company – an organization dedicated to planting trees in various parts of the world in order to combat global warming.

Elton John AIDS Foundation Photography Portfolio

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Elton John invites you to invest in artwork to support his AIDS Foundation.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation Photography Portfolio is a collection of ten signed and numbered prints by some of the world’s the most outstanding international names in contemporary photography. Sales of the Photography Portfolio support urgently needed grant-making initiatives supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate AIDS-related discrimination and stigma, and direct care services.

“I am both thrilled by the extraordinary array of art that has been contributed to this collection and profoundly grateful to the generous and talented artists represented within for supporting EJAF’s vital work,” said Sir Elton.

Damien Hirst Decorates Bike For Lance Armstrong

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Lance Armstrong is currently working towards winning his 8th Tour de France title, and for the final stage he will ride a special bike decorated by Damien Hirst.

The final stage of the race – due to finish July 26 – will see Armstrong aboard the Hirst bike to promote the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization established to give inspiration and empowerment to people with cancer through education, advocacy, public health and research programs.

The bike reportedly features a butterfly design.

Elton John Dedicates Song To Michael Jackson At Charity Bash

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Elton John held his 11th annual White Tie & Tiara Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Thursday, June 25.

Held at his Windsor mansion, “Woodside”, the party featured entertainment by Justin Timberlake and attracted guests such as Sam Taylor Wood, Damien Hirst, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Beckinsale, Shirley Bassey, Lily Allen, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Natalie Imbruglia, David Walliams, Geri Halliwell, Lily Cole and Erin O’Connor.

The annual ball has raised over £27 million since its inception, with last week’s event raising £4 million.

Damien Hirst Artworks Sold For Charity

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Twenty-eight paintings and artworks, including items donated by British artist Damien Hirst, went under the hammer for charity last week.

The auction in Paris made over US$6 million for AVEC – or Association pour la Vie et l’Espoir contre le Cancer (Association for Life and Hope Against Cancer) – a French cancer research organization.

Seventy-six percent of buyers were European; the rest were from the United States. No reserves were set on the artworks, which meant the final profits were over $1 million higher than expected.

Damien Hirst Donates Painting To Cancer Charity

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Legendary artist and humanitarian Damien Hirst has donated a painting to a cancer charity that is expected to fetch over £10,000 at auction.

The 43-year-old artist gifted the painting – one of his acclaimed spin-circle works – to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a charity set up by former English football star Bobby Robson, who is currently battling cancer for the fifth time. The charity was set up in 2008 and has already raised £1m for a new medical research centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

“I think it’s a fantastic and generous gesture from Mr Hirst,” said Robson. “He’s clearly a very talented artist and I must say I’ll be sorry to give up this wonderful painting. I’m sure we’ll find a very appreciative buyer who will enjoy owning this striking artwork and they will also have the satisfaction of knowing they have helped a very important cause.”

Joe Strummer To Be Remembered In Benefit Gig

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

A benefit concert celebrating the life of Joe Strummer will be held in London later this month.

Strummer – guitarist and singer for punk legends The Clash – died of heart complications in 2002. He helped set up Future Forests – now known as The Carbon Neutral Company – an organization dedicated to planting trees in various parts of the world in order to combat global warming. Following his death, artist Damien Hirst set up Strummerville, a non-profit organization that aims to help young musicians.

The benefit concert will take place on December 21 – the anniversary of Strummer’s death – and will feature up-and-coming punk bands such as The Rotten Hill Gang, The Riff-Raff, Dan Smith and The Savage Nomads.

Damien Hirst Doodles For MRI Scanner

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0000

British artist Damien Hirst has donated three sketches to a charity auction to raise money for the New Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The drawings – which are expected to raise US$3,500 each – feature a shark, a skull, and a butterfly. They will be auctioned at the Buy Art Fair, to be held at Manchester’s Urbis centre from Thursday to Sunday, and will raise money for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal – a campaign aiming to raise US$1.7 million for an MRI scanner for the hospital.

Boxer Ricky Hatton and Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien have also donated drawings and doodles to be auctioned.

Celebrities Raid The ARK In Charity Auction

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:38:00 +0000

A role in the next film made by Uma Thurman, a Damien Hirst painting, a Fiat 500 decorated by the artist Tracey Emin, and a private jet tour of the Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem wineries were all up for auction on Wednesday night to raise money for ARK.

The event was the annual ARK Charity Dinner, and was held at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London. A host of celebrities attended the function, including Sarah Ferguson, Jemima Khan, Elizabeth Hurley, and Simon Cowell, each paying up to $98,000 for a table of 10.

The 1,000 attendees were entertained by a special performance by Stevie Wonder and a speech from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Over £25.5 million ($50.23 million) was raised this year, coming close to meeting the success of last year’s £26.6 million ($53 million) event. A downwards trend is currently being seen across the board – the Robin Hood Foundation in New York raised $56.5 million for charity in an evening last week, $15 million less than a year earlier.

Girls Aloud Show Their Humanitarian Side

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:30:00 +0000

A special auction on eBay last week helped raise more than $18,000 for children’s charity War Child.

A host of celebrities, including Girls Aloud and Keane, donated items for a special celebrity auction for the charity, which raises money to support children acutely affected by conflict in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.

A number of items at the auction gained special attention, including a pair of signed Spin paintings by Damien Hirst that sold for around $8,000 each. A pair of shoes donated by Keane vocalist Tom Chaplin sold for $900, and a painting by Girls Aloud went out for $160.

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:11:22 +0000

Sotheby’s was seeing red last week as Bono and artist Damien Hirst organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity. And by by the end of the night, the U2 frontman had rallied deep-pocketed bidders to make the AIDS charity auction a raging success to the tune of $42.6 million.

“It is a historic night for artists” said Bono, “An extraordinary night in New York City. I am very moved.”

The U2 frontman was flanked by celebrity pals as he led the guests in a sing-along of the Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’. “I see myself as a servant for Africa,” Bono said, “Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Bono And Hirst Make Art History Now

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:24:01 +0000

Bono and his (RED) organisation are lending support for the upcoming Valentine’s Day art auction by Sotheby’s at the Gagosian Gallery in New York, expected to raise a whopping $40 million.

Artists such as Georg Baselitz, Matthew Barney, Cecily Brown, Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns and Keith Tyson will join internationally renowned Damien Hirst in donating over 100 works for auction on February 14.

Hirst, probably the most prominent member of the Young British Artists group, invited the contemporary artists to participate. In his desire to give something back to the world community, the proceeds will be donated to the United Nations Foundation HIV-AIDS programs in Africa.

Butterflies Benefit British Wildlife

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:56:00 +0000

Over 120 British celebrities have put their artistic skills to the test for an online auction, and a dazzling collection of their original drawings and paintings will help raise money to save wildlife.

The artworks, which all feature a colorful array of butterflies and moths, are currently being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s unique wildlife. Famous names such as Daniel Craig, Ricky Gervais, and member of the newly reformed Spice Girls, Melanie C, are just some of those who have donated artworks to the auction, which started on September 16 and will run for several months.

“We have had a fantastic and generous response from all our celebrity artists,” said auction organizer, Les Bunce. “And sponsorship of our costs means that all the money raised will go straight to help wildlife in Dorset.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers Join Hullabaloo

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:58:09 +0000

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eddie Vedder are to perform at the third annual Hullabaloo concert on May 5th in Los Angeles.

Woody Harrelson will be the Master of Ceremonies for the fundraising evening, which will include a silent auction featuring rock photographs, fine art and event packages and trips, as well as a live auction with rare collectibles and a selection of art by Damien Hirst.

The event benefits the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which will use the funds raised to provide instruments and music lessons for low-income students.

Kylie, Moby and McCartney Give Charity Canvases

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:44:33 +0000

The Hospital Gallery in London’s Covent Garden is to exhibit a collection of celebrities’ paintings before they are sold at auction to aid Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Celebrity contributors to “The Alive and Well Dog Project” include artist Damien Hirst, and such stars as Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, Moby, legendary soccer player Pelé, and comedian Ricky Gervais. Each of the 130 contributed paintings is an interpretation of a doodled dog drawn by the six-year-old son of event organiser Simon Freedman. The auction could raise as much as £300,000 for the children’s hospital.

The exhibition will run from January 29 to February 7, with the auction taking place at the gallery itself on January 31. A book of the project will also be available, in a limited run of 600 copies.