8/31/09

David Bowie and Beezy Bailey: Art for Africa

Via Bowienet

On Monday, September 21, 2009, the first Art for Africa auction will be held at Sotheby's in London. And there will be many amazing works contributed by several contemporary artists with all of the proceeds going to orphaned and needy children in Africa. Among the artists participating will be David Bowie and Beezy Bailey with their painting "From Nahodka Westward by Train":


david bowie beezy bailey painting

Via Art For Africa - David Bowie and Beezy Bailey

"Lot number: 4
Details: From Nahodka Westward by Train
Oil on canvas
Signed by both Artists
40.6 x 50.8 cm
16 x 20.8 in
Executed in 1994
Provenance: Donated by the Artists
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
"

Artists biography:

"David Bowie was born in London in 1947."

"In 1996, Bowie's wife, Iman, visited South Africa for a shoot with photographer Bruce Webber for American Vogue. David Bowie decided to check out the first Johannesburg Biennale. While in Cape Town he met Beezy Bailey who was also being photographed by Webber and subsequently did an interview with Bowie for Modern Painters Magazine. Beezy and David immediately got on and Beezy suggested painting together at the same time as doing the interview - to which Bowie agreed. The artists produced three paintings and drawings in Beezy's Cape Town studio which were later shown in David's exhibition in Cork Street, London."

"After their collaboration in South Africa, Beezy flew to New York while David was acting as Warhol in the Julian Schnabel film on Basquiat and putting together his 'Outside' album. During this time Beezy and David created some 50 canvasses working together in a creative process that was extraordinary and powerful."

"Only a few of these works have been available for public view at Gallery Thorens in Basel and only one of these paintings has been sold previously in the 'Art for Aids orphans' auction in Cape Town. The painting 'From Nahodka Westward by Train" was named as such by David as it reminded him of a particular train trip he took during a tour in the 1970's in Japan."


For more information, please visit the Art For Africa Home Page