NEW YORK – April 26, 2021 – Christie’s and CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), an emergency relief nonprofit dedicated to saving lives and strengthening marginalized communities affected by or vulnerable to crisis, are pleased to announce a new partnership devoted to raising critical funds for CORE’s COVID-19 relief efforts across the United States. CORE, founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, has been working on the frontlines alongside public and private partners to provide free COVID-19 testing, essential resources, contact tracing programs, and life-saving vaccines to communities most affected by the pandemic.
The selection of contemporary artworks that have been generously donated by the artist themselves will be sold during Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale on May 13, 2021 in New York. The grouping includes works by Urs Fischer, Rashid Johnson and Joel Mesler, and proceeds from the sale will directly benefit CORE’s COVID-19 programs across Los Angeles, Navajo Nation, Washington D.C., Chicago, New Orleans, Georgia and North Carolina.
Sean Penn, Co-Founder of CORE, states: “We are grateful to Christie’s and those who have generously donated pieces for this auction to support CORE’s equity-focused mobile vaccination program and continued COVID-19 relief efforts protecting the marginalized communities who have been most affected by the pandemic. These funds will greatly aid our urgent mission to ensure that the available vaccine supply is distributed equitably and reaches the people who desperately need this life-saving resource.”
Ann Lee, Co-Founder of CORE, states: “We are not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 has laid bare the deep inequalities that people in this country face. We are working directly with marginalized communities to ensure that those who need vaccines get them. We are immensely grateful to Christie’s for their partnership to raise critical funds and awareness, and are sincerely humbled by those who have so generously donated pieces to benefit CORE’s continued work on the frontlines of this crisis. History will remember those who are rising to the occasion during this inflection point for the human race.”
Urs Fischer, Artist, comments: “On my bike rides I see many CORE volunteers at the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites throughout Los Angeles, working hand-in-hand with local authorities and others. The image of Sean clearing the devastated streets of Port-Au-Prince with heavy machinery in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti keeps coming to my mind. We learn what a difference one person’s dedication to helping others can make. Truly inspiring.”
Joel Mesler, Artist, remarks: “New York is a very special city to me. I moved to New York from Los Angeles in 2007; it was the city where I became a man. At this moment of collective awareness, I wanted to make a painting for CORE that sheds light and gives hope to the city that never sleeps. The five apples represent the five boroughs of a city that seems to be just as much about time as it is about place.”
Rachael White Young, Specialist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, Christie’s, notes: “Christie’s is honored to work with CORE and present these works in our inaugural 21st Century Evening Sale. We are grateful for CORE and the artists who have generously donated to support efforts for this important cause.”
About CORE
CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a nonprofit organization co-founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee that is dedicated to saving lives and strengthening communities affected by or vulnerable to crisis. Within hours of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Penn mobilized a powerful network to take immediate action. More than 11 years later, CORE continues to lead sustainable programs focused on four pillars: emergency relief, disaster preparedness, environmental resiliency and community building. The organization has expanded beyond Haiti to support communities in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the United States. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CORE has been operating free testing sites across the country alongside local partners, providing essential resources and contact tracing services as well as part of its integrated “CORE 8” approach to combat the pandemic. In 2021, CORE is working with its partners nationwide to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines as they become available to the communities the organization serves.
More information: www.coreresponse.org/covid-19 and follow CORE on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About Christie’s
Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and international expertise. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s also has a long and successful history conducting Private Sales for clients and online sales are offered year round across all categories. Christie’s global presence is spread across a network of international salerooms and 61 representatives and offices. Christies.com provides detailed articles and videos on the objects offered for sale alongside the latest advances in digital viewing tools to make Christie’s accessible to all.
*Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are reported net of applicable fees.