Celebrities Boost Christie's Haiti Charity Auction to $13.6 million

25 September 2011

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Zhang Huan "Chinese Flag No. 1," 2007.

"Artists for Haiti" brought a hefty total of $13,662,000 for 27 lots in a benefit auction for the earthquake-damaged and impoverished Caribbean nation on Sept. 23 at Christie's.

Actor Ben Stiller and art dealer David Zwirner presented the event which was well-attended by dealers and a few Hollywood notables.

Stiller stepped up to pay $400,000 for a Jeff Koons, and $200,000 for a Martin Kippenberger designed street lamp sculpture.

Jennifer Aniston accompanied Wanderlust co-star Justin Theroux as he bid a record $450,000 for Glenn Ligon's canvas, paying well above the $150-200,000 estimate.

Tennis star John McEnroe lost a bidding battle for Zhang Huan's ash-on-canvas titled "Chinese Flag No. 1" to Acquavella Gallery. But he did win Elizabeth Petyon's colored pencil and pastel portrait of Jay-Z for $85,000.

Artists donated their own works to the auction and Christie's waived the buyer's premium for the event which benefits health and education initiaves in Haiti.

Read more at Hollywood Reporter

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