Bonhams is pleased to offer a signature collection of custom Carparelli guitars at auction as part of its partnership with War Child, a leading international non-profit. The War Child Benefit Auction will take place on November 9 at 7pm, at Bonhams New York and will preview alongside the Post-War & Contemporary Art auction, which will be held on November 11, 2014 at 4pm.
Carparelli guitars are known for their exceptional sound, feel and design. The guitars to feature at this auction have all been donated and were designed and transformed into works of art by Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Michael Stipe, Sam Taylor-Johnson (née Wood), Shepard Fairey, Matthew Bellamy, Dave Stewart, Slater Bradley, Sterling Ruby, Pearl Thompson, Robby Krieger, Zevs, AIKO, Ginger Gilmour, Steve McNiven and Michael Adamson. Top lots include guitars painted by Shepard Fairey, (Peace Dove, est. $10,000 – 15,000), Sterling Ruby (After Picasso Blue Bass, est. $15,000 – 20,000), and Slater Bradley (Gracias, est. $8,000 – 12,000).
“Bonhams is honoured to partner with War Child, and thrilled to present this unique opportunity to our clients from all over the world to purchase these wonderful guitars customised by some of the leading figures in the Contemporary art and music world to benefit a truly wonderful charity,” says Jeremy Goldsmith, Director of the Post-War and Contemporary department at Bonhams.
“We are humbled by the support of these remarkable artists and are inspired by the creativity they have brought to this project,” said War Child USA Founder, Dr. Samantha Nutt. “We are grateful to Mike Carparelli for the donation of the guitars and, of course, to Bonhams for their invaluable assistance in making this event possible. With global events unfolding as they are, the need for War Child’s programming is expanding rapidly and the funds generated by this event will be crucial to our efforts. ”
Two-time Academy Award nominee, Gus Van Sant, said, “War Child’s mission to bring war-affected communities the resources that their circumstances demand is not only crucial and appropriate, but speaks to a fundamental quality we have as humans to respond and react to injustice, even when we’re not directly affected ourselves. There is mystery in the connection we have to each other and the ability to react to injustice. Art can be a meditation on these mysteries, as it was for me during the process of this project.”
Of his participation, French street artist Zevs, famous for his work with dripping brand logos, stated, “I am happy to support War Child’s efforts in aiding children affected by war. The image on this guitar relates to my 2010 performance at the legendary Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, and mirrors Man Ray’s 1924 photo Le Violon d’Ingres.”
War Child is an international non-profit that protects children in war zones. All proceeds raised through this auction will go toward War Child’s programmes in some of the most volatile regions of the world. These funds will directly impact the lives of nearly 500,000 people who are supported by War Child each year.
Proud partners of the War Child Benefit Auction include Bonhams, Carparelli Guitars, Hudson Bellamy Wine, VDKA 6100 and Ilegal Mezcal.
For more information and to preview the guitars, please visit www.warchildusa.org/guitars.
About War Child:
War Child is an internationally recognised charity that works with war-affected communities to help children reclaim their childhood through access to education, opportunity and justice. By making a long-term investment to create an environment in which childhood can thrive, the cycles of poverty and violence can be broken. War Child takes an active role in raising public awareness around the impact of war on communities and the shared responsibility to act. For more information, please visit www.warchildusa.org
You can view all of the guitars here
Read more about the auction on War Child’s site here
Read more on Bonhams website here