Koons sculpture BALLOON MONKEY (MAGENTA), presented by Victor and Elena Pinchuk, sold at CHRISTIE'S auction
$11.5 million of proceeds will be sent to humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Jeff Koons' iconic Balloon Monkey (Magenta) sculpture, presented by Victor and Elena Pinchuk, was sold at Christie's on June 28, 2022.
All proceeds for about $11.5 million will be sent to humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In particular, for soldiers and civilians seriously injured during the war, who need urgent prosthetics, treatment, and rehabilitation to restore their quality of life.
Since the beginning of the war, as of June 27, 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 10,631 casualties among the civilian population in Ukraine: 4,731 were killed (including 339 children) and 5,900 were injured (including 614 children). In Ukraine, about four children and about 500 soldiers are injured every day.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Viktor and Olena Pinchuka, through their foundations and other structures, provided humanitarian aid and assistance to the army to date in the amount of more than 35 million US dollars. Among other things, first aid kits for the rescue of military personnel and civilians injured as a result of shelling and explosions, armored ambulances, support for 40 hospitals, and various other types of humanitarian aid were handed over.
Funds were also raised through the Ukraine Relief Fund, an initiative created by Viktor and Olena Pinchuk and the Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, together with Eric and Wendy Schmidt and Schmidt Futures, Robert F. Smith and Vista Equity Partners, the Minderoo Foundation (founded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest), and also by Bill Ford and the General Atlantic Foundation.
Viktor and Olena Pinchuk are constantly communicating in various formats with world leaders from politics, business, media, culture and art, scientists, and opinion leaders to make it clear that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself but also for the whole world and defending democratic values in the whole world, that is why Ukraine needs even more decisive support from Europe and the West immediately.
Additional Information:
About the Viktor Pinchuk Foundation and the Elena Pinchuk Foundation
The Viktor Pinchuk Foundation was founded in 2006. It provides an opportunity for future generations to become creators of tomorrow's changes and unites Ukraine and the world. One of his important projects is the PinchukArtCentre, which provides free access to the inspiration of contemporary art in Kyiv and provides a platform for outstanding young artists from around the world and Ukraine.
The Olena Pinchuk Foundation was founded in 2003 and started the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ukraine, which led to a noticeable decrease in new cases of HIV/AIDS. Since 2017, the foundation has been the first to start a dialogue on gender equality in Ukraine, which has led to a better balance in politics and public life. In 2014, together with the Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, a system of medical care on the battlefield was introduced, which saved thousands of lives and is still in operation.