Davie Bowie pushed the boundaries of musical experience during his lifetime and it seems that funds raised from his personal Art collection are set to similarly soar to new levels, judging by Sotheby’s latest staggering sales totals. As more than £24m poured into the London-founded auction house’s coffers earlier this week, the total was more than double the quoted initial estimates.
“Air Power” soared in value
Art lovers demonstrated a shared understanding of the Brixton-born icon’s artistic tastes, with Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Air Power” taking centre stage.
Eager potential buyers elevated the asking price for the American artist’s painting up to a mammoth figure of £7.1m by the time the feverish bidding was completed.
Auerbach sale record set at Sotheby’s
A piece that was well-known as one of Bowie’s especial favourites in his prized collection was the painting “Head of Gerda Boehm” by the German-born artist Frank Auerbach. On a day where several records were set, the naturalised British citizen’s work not only fetched ten times its estimate but at £3.8m it represented a record figure for the figurative painter’s creations.
Interest in Bowie continues
Interest in the late musician’s Music and personal life seems to remain firmly in the public’s conscience, since his much-mourned death at the age of 69 at the beginning of the year.
His final album “Blackstar” was a poignant reminder of his ability to strike a chord with the millions of Bowie devotees around the globe. It continues to be nominated for the industry’s top awards such as at the recent Q Awards.
“Lazarus” intriguing theatre lovers
Theatre-goers can prepare themselves to be similarly mesmerised by “Dexter” star Michael C Hall’s portrayal of the alcoholic alien Thomas Newton in the musical “Lazarus”. Co-written by Bowie, the somewhat controversial play opened recently at the King’s Cross Theatre in London as a promised sequel to the events in the 1970s film “The Man Who Fell To Earth”.
New material features
In addition to featuring many of the Starman’s biggest hits within its slightly baffling script – perhaps mirroring the mind games that Bowie challenged his fans with at certain points during his glittering career – some new material is also aired. “No Plan” and “Killing A Little Time” will no doubt provide much food for thought on their relevance to the musician’s state of mind in his later years.