Last Tuesday evening, man around town and artist Richard Phillips unveiled a stunning print, typical of his glossy magnetic style. The specially commissioned portrait, titled Blauvelt (Blue World) with its strong graphic composition, supported FreeArts NYC, a philanthropic organization that has been providing under-served children with arts education and mentoring programs for the last 16 years. While Phillips produced 20 editions of the print, his wasn’t the only piece of art hotly desired at the charity’s live benefit auction.
To an energized crowd, founder of Paddle8 (sponsor of the online sale) Alexander Gilkes indulged the fanfare with a buoyant auctioneering performance, while encouraging bidders to get their hands on names like KAWS (one piece went for $31,000), Dan Colen, and Mr. Brainwash. The benefit sale also included heavyweights Kiki Smith, Ed Ruscha, Terry Richardson, and newcomer Eske Kath, whose girlfriend happened to be the scheduled entertainment for the evening. Oh Land followed Gilkes’ wild theatrics, enchanting the audience with her ethereal Danish stylings.
At the event, Phillips spoke about his experiences and the organization’s impact, alongside his friends and longtime FreeArts supporters Kelly Rutherford (her recently ended TV show Gossip Girl featured Phillips’ work), Amy Sacco, Mary Alice Stephenson, and DJ of the event the past two years, Chelsea Leyland.
The event raised over $600,000 for the organization, only suggesting that its mantra will always ring true: “There are no mistakes in art.”
