Works by well-known British artists including David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Rankin and Boy George are to go under the hammer anonymously to raise money for WaterAid.
The pieces will form part of the charity’s ‘secret’ Art Of Change auction, but will be sold without the artists’ names on them, with bidders urged to use their artistic instincts to potentially make the purchase of a lifetime .
The collection, curated in collaboration with Hidden Gallery, showcases climate-themed works to raise awareness of the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities’ access to safe drinking water.
The auction will take place during the British Art Fair at the Saatchi Gallery in London, which runs from September 29 to October 2.
The UK artists featured range from celebrities and household names to emerging talent, with everyone involved donating 50% to 100% of their sale to WaterAid.
Artists who contributed to the exhibition include Ben Okri and Rosemary Clunie, Boy George, Carolyn Trant, Carrie Reichardt, Damien Hirst, David Hockney and Giles Deacon.
Haseebah Ali, Henry Ward, Heywood and Condie, Jessica Albarn, Jonathan Barnes, Julian Wild, Nettie Wakefield, Pure Evil, Rankin, Rowena Easton, Sir Peter Blake and The Connor Brothers will also have works exhibited and sold.
Photographer and filmmaker Rankin said: “The climate crisis is a water crisis, from too much to too little, it is now an emergency.
“Solving this problem is a daunting task. That is why it is so important that we think about supporting sustainable adaptation.
Nigerian-British poet Ben Okri added: “The destruction of our environment and the impacts of climate change are now a must-have conversation.
“There is nowhere to hide. Those who suffer the most are not the ones causing the problem.
“In Nigeria, my native country, more than 46 million people do not have access to drinking water. Progress is being made, but much remains to be done. »
Many famous contributors are due to attend a collectors preview at the Saatchi Gallery on Thursday evening.