Olena and Viktor Pinchuky will put up the famous sculpture by Jeff Koons BALLOON MONKEY (MAGENTA) at Christie`s auction to attract humanitarian aid to Ukraine
The estimated value of the iconic sculpture is £6,000,000 - £10,000,000. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase vital humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
LONDON AND PARIS: On June 28, 2022, Jeff Koons' iconic sculpture Balloon Monkey (Magenta) will be presented by Viktor and Olena Pinchuk for auction at Christie's to raise vital funds for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The estimated value of the iconic sculpture is £6,000,000 - £10,000,000. The collected funds will be directed, in particular, to military personnel and civilians seriously injured during the war, who need urgent prosthetics, treatment, and rehabilitation to restore their quality of life. Embodying the innocence and joy of children, the Balloon Monkey (Magenta), which appeals to children and adults alike, is a monumental symbol of hope and solidarity with those military and civilian men, women, and children in war-torn Ukraine who have suffered terrible losses.
The sale of this sculpture will be a highlight of Christie's 20th/21st Century: London Evening Auction. This sculpture demonstrates the power of art to unite and rally to support the defense of freedom and life in troubled times. The work will be on display in St James's Square, next to Christie's London headquarters, where visitors can view it from 14 June to 3 July 2022.
Balloon Monkey (Magenta) is a masterpiece of paradoxical power, whose contradictions oscillate between wondrous complexity and utter simplicity, seriousness and play, pop culture and our deepest, primal systems of myth and belief. This object devoid of irony is created with almost incredible dedication, as the personification of trust, openness, sincerity, and love. For Koons, Balloon Monkey (Magenta) is a profound and joyful affirmation that art is not only what we see, but also what happens inside us.
In 2008, Koons' sculpture Balloon Flower (Magenta) was also installed in St. James's Square. This work, which could be seen in a garden in the center of London, at the time set a record for the sale of Jeff Koons's works - 25.7 million dollars. In November 2014, a Balloon Monkey (Orange) from the same series as the current lot sold for $25.9 million.
Jeff Koons: “Viktor and Olena Pinchuka work tirelessly to increase humanitarian support for Ukraine, so I am truly honored that Balloon Monkey (Magenta) will support their extraordinary efforts. The true value of art is to serve humanity, and today there can be no higher calling than supporting the people of Ukraine. Thanks to my friendship with Viktor and Olena Pinchuka, my life has been enriched by the people and culture of Ukraine. I have had the opportunity to visit Ukraine many times, both alone and with my family, and I have always felt a strong sense of unity, friendship, and history. My series of sculptures Balloon Venus - "Balloon Venuses" - is in dialogue with the prehistoric figures of Venus, which I saw in the collection of the National History Museum of Ukraine. For me, these sculptures are connected with world history, which is closely intertwined with the art of human history. One of the reasons I work with the ball is that its membrane is like our skin; it is about inner and outer life. I am deeply saddened by the war and the destruction that the Ukrainian people are experiencing. The Balloon Monkey (Magenta) accordingly symbolizes hope, affirmation, and transcendence, so I can only hope that the donation of my work by Viktor and Olena Pinchuka can help draw attention to the need to help and support the Ukrainian people now more than ever."
Olena Pinchuk: "Early in the morning of February 24, the lives of all Ukrainians changed forever. We, like all Ukrainians, are doing everything in our power to fight for every life and every dream that people had before the war. For this we need allies. We need the world to help us, support our efforts, and be with us in this fight against evil. Jeff Koons' Balloon Monkey sculpture will be auctioned on June 28 to remind the world that the war is still going on and to raise funds for prosthetics and other life-saving medical emergencies for many Ukrainians. Thank you for being with Ukraine in this difficult time. Your support saves lives!"
Viktor Pinchuk: "Our gratitude and respect for our soldiers knows no bounds. They give their lives for us, the future of Ukraine, and the world. Every dead or wounded Ukrainian from shelling, explosions, and violence is a wound in our soul. With the funds from the auction, we can help save lives. We can help rebuild lives destroyed by war. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of lives, each of which has an indescribable value. Balloon Monkey by Jeff Koons is a celebration of life. We value life and hope over death and suffering. In art and in action. We are grateful to Jeff and Christie’s. They help us turn at least part of our boundless gratitude to Ukrainians into help and support."
Catherine Arnold, head of the post-war department and of Contemporary Art at Christie's European office: "As the war in Ukraine continues to wreak havoc across the country, I am honored to work with Viktor and Olena Pinchuk on the sale of Jeff Koons' iconic sculpture Balloon Monkey (Magenta). This is the artist's largest and last work from his famous series of balloon animals. It is a monumental symbol of solidarity. The balloon animal reminds us of how many people were deprived of the normal course of life and its simple joys because of the war. Displayed in St James's Square, I hope the Balloon Monkey (Magenta) will be a beacon of hope as we work together towards a safer future."
* Since the beginning of the war, as of May 31, 2022, 4,916 Ukrainian civilians have been wounded, among them 431 are children. About 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded at the front. In Ukraine, about 4 children and 500 soldiers are wounded on average every day.