Artists Raise a Quarter of a Million for Ken
The “Art Bid For Ken” (AB4K) auction raised quarter of a million pounds for the campaign to return Ken Livingstone as Mayor of London. Quite an increase on a previous auction held for Ken Livingstone’s campaign in 2004.
More than forty artworks, donated by artists, were sold in the auction held at the zany Aquarium Gallery on the Farringdon Road. The artists, some of whom participated in previous fund raising auction for Ken, represent a cross section of practitioners, from hip hop YBA’s to the established academicians – a dynamic snapshot of current goings on in the artworld. The bidders too were also a cross section from high profile politicians and ‘men in suits’ to artists and friends.
The intention of the event was to raise funds. Which it certainly achieved. The overall quality of the donated works was high, which added value to the campaign. The icing on the cake was, as expected, provided by ‘Banksy’ whose “Sketch for Essex Road” exceeded all expectations and raised a massive £195,000!!! Although other works attracted more modest bids, ranging from £200 to £6000, may have been tinged with disappointment at being overshadowed by the “Banksy account”, no one forgot what the central intention of this auction was about, to participate in the campaign to get Ken Livingstone re-elected. Everyone left with the sense they had participated in something worthwhile.
Ken Livingstone gave an eloquent speech about his desire to ensure London continues to be the cultural capital of the world and added his desire to encourage the future of the arts. He lamented that it was still not in the Mayor’s power to write the cultural policy of London. However, in his tenure as Mayor of London he has achieved quite a few important initiatives in the arts: the 4th Plinth located in the now pedestrianised Trafalgar Square is a fine achievement and provides commissioning opportunities to artists. Other cultural events such as the annual ‘Rise Festival’ and the Mayor’s Thames Festival also add to London’s cultural importance.
