David Bowie's art collection unveiled for the first time

A devoted art collector, almost 300 paintings amassed by David over the decades will go on display at Sotheby’s in London this month before going under the hammer in November.

Containing works by eminent artists like Damien Hirst, Frank Auerbach, Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland, the estimated value of the collection is in excess of £10million.

The most valuable piece is a masterpiece by Jean-Michel Basquiat called ‘Air Power’, which is expected to fetch up to £3.5million. The late music legend bought it when he played Basquiat’s mentor Andy Warhol in the 1996 movie Basquiat.

Called Bowie/Collector, the sale will be split into three parts and will also boast 120 items of 20th Century furniture and sculpture.

Oliver Barker, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, says: “Eclectic, unscripted, understated: David Bowie’s collection offers a unique insight into the personal world of one of the 20th century’s greatest creative spirits.”

In keeping with his authentic and unique approach to music, Bowie never bought art on the basis of reputation or for investment, but because of his own personal response to each artist and their work.

A spokesperson for the Estate of David Bowie said, “David’s art collection was fuelled by personal interest and compiled out of passion. He always sought and encouraged loans from the collection and enjoyed sharing the works in his custody.

“Though his family are keeping certain pieces of particular personal significance, it is now time to give others the opportunity to appreciate – and acquire – the art and objects he so admired.”

Pieces of note in the collection include Frank Auerbach’s ‘Head of Gerda Boehm’ (valued at £300,000 to £500,000), Peter Lanyon’s ‘Witness’ (£250,000 to £350,000) and Harold Gilman’s ‘Interior Mrs Mounter’ (£150,000 to £250,000).

An art school student during his teenage years and a keen visual artist, in an interview with the New York Times in 1998, Bowie said: “Art was, seriously, the only thing I’d ever wanted to own. It can change the way that I feel in the mornings.”

Among the pieces of sculpture and furniture on sale is a striking 1960s stereo cabinet created by the Italian designers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Called the Brionvega Radiophonograph the record player, examples of which are held in the Smithsonian Collection and V&A, has an estimate of £800-£1,200.

Brionvega Radiophonograph (© Sotheby's)

Bowie’s collection will go on view at Sotheby’s in London next week from 20th July to 9th August. The works will then travel to Los Angeles and New York in September, Hong Kong in October before returning to London for a final showing ahead of the auctions on 10th and 11th November.

Proceeds from the auction will go to David’s family, with lack of space being cited as the reason for the sale.