The Thin White Duke loved art (and loved making art) so it’s no surprise that a three-part sale of David Bowie’s collection, which goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s London in November, includes more than 400 works by major names such as Henry Moore, Frank Auerbach, and Jean-Michel Basquiat (as well as Outsider art and contemporary African art). Bowie’s eclectic taste is reflected in the three-part sale which is divided into Modern and contemporary art (evening auction, 10 November; day auction, 11 November) and post-modernist design: Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group (11 November).
Works consigned include Head of Gerda Boehm by Auerbach (1965; est £300,000-£500,000), Basquiat’s Air Power (1984; est £2.5m-£3.5m), the sculpture Alexandra by Romuald Hazoumé (1995; est £5,000-£7,000) and a rather unconventional record player by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni (Brionvega Radiophonograph, model no RR 126, 1965, est £800-£1,200). “Though his family are keeping certain pieces of particular personal significance, it is now time to give others the opportunity to appreciate – and acquire – the art and objects he so admired,” says a spokesperson for the estate of David Bowie (the rock star died in January).
Bowie fans (and art lovers) will have plenty of opportunities to see the musician’s holdings as the works go on show this summer at Sotheby’s in London (20 July-9 August). The collection then goes on a global tour, taking in Los Angeles (20 July-9 August), New York (26-29 September) and Hong Kong (12-15 October), before coming back to London for a final showing (1-10 November).