U2 sell their Basquiat

[WildHoney]

This was removed from the studios when Anji & i were at HQ in April

Basquiat artwork fetches over £5m

A piece of art owned by rock band U2 has sold for more than £5m at an auction held in London.

The painting - Untitled (Pecho/Oreja) by late US artist Jean-Michel Basquiat - was bought by U2 in New York in 1989 and hung in their Dublin studios.

The painting, which was first spotted by bassist Adam Clayton, was auctioned at Sotheby's.

Basquiat, originally a graffiti artist in New York, died from a suspected drug overdose in 1988.

A spokesman for Sotheby's said the artwork sold for £5,081,250 to a European private buyer. The current auction record for a Basquiat work stands at $14.6m (£7.4m).

Oliver Barker, of Sotheby's, said: "It seems especially appropriate that a work by Basquiat should end up at a music studio, since so much has been said about the relationship between his art and music."

In 1996, director Julian Schnabel directed the film Basquiat, based on the artist's life and starring Gary Oldman and David Bowie.

Basquiat's paintings continue to influence young artists

Here's the link below

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Basquiat artwork fetches over £5m

 

[JCOSTER]

Wish I had money!!!!! I would have loved to buy that!!!

 

[hcbiggs2002]

Thanks for the infro Wild. I wonder why the decided to sell it off? It's not like they need to money or anything?! Maybe it won't fit on the walls at their new 'U2 tower' studios and none of the guys wanted to have it in their homes?!?

 

[forbonou2]

Beauty is definetly in the eye of the beholders!!? Hmm......I suppose it's cuz HQ will itself by gone?

 

[Carek1230]

I am actually kinda surprised they sold it, altho with moving and all maybe they want some new art and this way it will be easier for them to lay down the funds for it?

 

[gman]

My 6 year old doodles equally as well as this "art". Think al sell some for a few squillion quid

 

[Alisaura]

I wonder how much they paid in 1989? Maybe Adam's going to be an art dealer if this rock star thing falls apart some day...

 

[hcbiggs2002]

My 6 year old doodles equally as well as this "art". Think al sell some for a few squillion quid

I have to agree with you! It's absolutely amazing what passes for "art" nowadays!! And the prices people are prepared to pay to own them is even more mind-boggling!!!

 

[silvrlvr]

Thanks for the infro Wild. I wonder why the decided to sell it off? It's not like they need to money or anything?! Maybe it won't fit on the walls at their new 'U2 tower' studios and none of the guys wanted to have it in their homes?!?

With the economy the way it is, maybe they decided to sell it while the art market is still hot. Also, you can tire of looking at things, and it might have gotten a little old.