The Contemporary Art Society raises over £270,000 at Annual Gala

Paul Hobson, Director, Contemporary Art Society and Sarah Elson, Contemporary Art Society Trustee and Chair of the LEAP! Committee
1 March 2012

Last night the Contemporary Art Society, in association with Boucheron, hosted another triumphant fundraising gala – LEAP! - to raise funds for its mission to buy contemporary art for museums across the UK. The evening event raised over £270,000 through its auction, an increase on last year’s figure of £240,000.
More than 40 internationally acclaimed artists – from Jim Lambie and Paul Noble through to Paula Rego and Bob and Roberta Smith – and newer talents, were commissioned to create new works for a circus-inspired auction, conducted by Sotheby’s Olly Barker.

 

The champagne reception and dinner was held in the former lead and gallery factory of the old Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell, with the newly created works installed throughout the space. The event was attended by more than 350 art world VIPS who enjoyed a spectacular evening of performances, tomfoolery and high glamour, sponsored by Boucheron.

The evening, which was chaired by Contemporary Art Society Trustee, Sarah Elson and a Committee which included the likes of Valeria Napoleone and Anita Zabludowicz, raised an unprecedented amount to acquire new purchases of art. Guests included Ed Vaizey MP, Bianca Jagger, Grayson Perry, Maureen Paley, Nicholas Logsdail, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Gavin Turk, Kathy Lette , Scott Mead, and Julian Treger.

44 works were commissioned by the Contemporary Art Society to be auctioned on the night, including a charity lot which will be gifted to the National Galleries of Scotland. The list included Artists Anonymous, David Batchelor, David Buckley, Anne Hardy, Jim Lambie, Eleanor Moreton, Stephen Nelson, Elizabeth Price, Ruth Proctor, Paula Rego, Boo Ritson, Bob & Roberta Smith, Hannah Starkey, Storm Tharp, Paloma Varga Weisz, Richard Wentworth and Rose Wylie.

Download the full press release here

For more information on the event, or images, please contact Annabel Fox on annabel@wcommunications.co.uk / 07837 906 007.

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LEAP! Auction Artists event

LEAP! Committee event

LEAP! Partners and Supporters event

LEAP!, 2012 event

 

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