Art Miami and CONTEXT Art Miami once again attracted serious collectors, curators, museum directors and interior designers. This year, music legend Jon Bon Jovi, fashion designer Ariana Rockefeller, financier Carl Icahn, noted Warhol collector David Mugrabi, fashion designer Donna Karan, investor and The Shark Group Founder Daymond John, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather attended.
The fairs provided an intimate look at some of the most important work at the forefront of the international contemporary art movement. Writer, lecturer, political activist, and iconic feminist organizer Gloria Steinem unveiled her collaborative work with artist Max Steven Grossman at the female-led Sponder Gallery’s Art Miami booth. The pair’s collaboration, “Gloria Steinem Bookscape,” is an artistic expression of Steinem’s extensive personal book collection. The unveiling event served as fundraiser for Steinem’s foundation, Gloria’s Foundation, which supports and nurtures the feminist movement. Proceeds from the sale the artwork at Art Miami will benefit the National Network of Abortion Funds.
Robert Bailey, president of Rosenhaus Sports launched The Kennedy Kids Foundation during the VIP Preview, with a silent auction of three original works by renowned artist and muralist Bradley Theodore. Proceeds from the auction benefited the charity, created in memory of local student Kennedy Bailey, which aims to prevent teenage suicide through mental health awareness, education and enhanced access to care.
And in response to the shocking events currently taking place in Ukraine, galleries showcased works to raise awareness and funds for the crisis abroad. Chase Contemporary released a limited edition signed & numbered print by 11-year-old art prodigy Andres Valencia with 100 percent of the funds going to the Klitchko Foundation. Rebecca Hossack Gallery presented artist Phil Shaw’s limited edition run of charity prints, “Solidarity – Cолідарність,” to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Outside of CONTEXT Art Miami, the “STAND UP FOR UKRAINE” installation by humanitarian aid organization Nantucket Cares featured a metal playground slide removed from a heavily-shelled residential neighborhood in Irpin, Ukraine.
Sales were strong throughout the week, with highlights including Keyes Art’s sale of an untitled 1989 Reflection by Roy Lichtenstein for $1.5 million. Opera Gallery sold two Fernando Botero pieces, “Nature morte a l’ananas” for $880,000 and “Donna sdraiata con capelli lunghi, Versiliese” for $600,000. And Maddox Gallery sold Andy Warhol’s “Siberian Tiger” for $250,000.
