Pinchuks will sell Jeff Koons sculpture Balloon Monkey at auction/Pinchuk Foundation website
On June 28, 2022, Jeff Koons' iconic Balloon Monkey (Magenta) sculpture will be presented at Christie's auction. It is put up for sale by Ukrainian businessman Viktor Pinchuk and his wife Elena to raise money for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The estimated value of the art object is from 6 million to 10 million pounds sterling. This was announced by the website of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.
“The funds raised will be directed in particular to those seriously injured during the war, military and civilian, who urgently need prosthetics, treatment and rehabilitation to restore their quality of life. They are a monumental symbol of hope and solidarity with military and civilian men, women and children in Ukraine, torn by war, who suffered terrible losses,” the message said.
The fund noted that the sale of the sculpture will be an important event of the auction “XX/XXI century: Evening London auction” at Christie's. The work will be exhibited in St. James's Square near Christie's headquarters in London from 14 June to 3 July.
“Balloon Monkey (Magenta) is a masterpiece of paradoxical force, its tensions varying between amazing complexity and stark simplicity, seriousness and play, pop culture and our deepest, primal structures of myth and belief. This object, free from irony, is crafted with an almost unbelievable self-giving, as the embodiment of trust, openness, sincerity and love. For Koons, Balloon Monkey (Magenta) is a deep and cheerful confirmation that art is not only what we see, but also what happens inside us, ”- described the work of art in the press service of the fund.
It is also noted that in November 2014 Balloon Monkey (Orange) – “Monkey from balloons (orange)” – from the same series as the current lot – reached a selling price of $25.9 million.
“Viktor and Elena Pinchuk are constantly working to intensify humanitarian support for Ukraine, so I am truly honored that Balloon Monkey (Magenta) will support their extraordinary efforts. The real value of art is to serve humanity, and today there can be no higher calling than to support the people of Ukraine. Thanks to my friendship with Viktor and Elena Pinchuk, my life was enriched by the people and culture of Ukraine. I had the opportunity to visit Ukraine many times both alone and with my family, and I always felt a strong sense of unity, friendship and history” , – said the sculptor.
He added that he was very upset and worried about the war and the destruction that the Ukrainian people are experiencing.
“Our gratitude and respect for our soldiers are boundless. They give their lives for us, the future of Ukraine and the world.Each Ukrainian killed or injured from shelling, explosions and violence is a wound in our soul.Using the funds of the auction, we can help save lives.We can help to rebuild a life destroyed by the war. Dozens, maybe hundreds of lives, each of which has incredible value. Thanks to Jeff and Christie's. They help us turn at least part of our boundless gratitude to the Ukrainians into help and support,” Pinchuk said.
