Artists for Haiti raises $13.6 million in one night

With sales totaling $13.6 million, the September 22 Artists for Haiti charity sale at Christie’s, co-organized by actor Ben Stiller and gallery owner David Zwirner, was a phenomenal success both for Haiti and the art world.

Co-organizers Ben Stiller and David Zwirner standing in front of Raymond Pettibon's painting "No Title (But the Sand...)".

PIH's Sam Ender, actress Christine Taylor with husband Ben Stiller, PIH's Ariana Watson and PIH supporter Kim-Marie Evans.

A portion of the sale’s proceeds will go towards supporting PIH’s work in Haiti, specifically children's education and health care projects. Other organizations receiving proceeds include Architecture for Humanity, Artists for Peace and Justice, Ciné Institute, Grameen Creative Lab, J/P HRO and The Stiller Foundation.

The auction included 27 works by 26 of today’s most prominent artists – including Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Cecily Brown and Jasper Johns – many of which were created specifically for this cause. Two of the works of art sold for over one million dollars, Marlene Dumas at $2 million and Luc Tuymans at $1.15 million, with many lots realizing well over their pre-sale estimates.

“We are so grateful to all of the artists who dedicated their time and talent to help raise an extraordinary amount of money that will be utilized as efficiently and quickly as possible to help the people of Haiti,” declared Ben Stiller. “Christie’s and David Zwirner Gallery worked very hard to make this a success and I am thankful to have them as partners in this effort.”

“What an amazing evening! We are overwhelmed by the support we were able to get for tonight's auction,” said David Zwirner, co-organizer and owner of the gallery where the art was exhibited. “Thanks to everyone who bid tonight, we can now go to work on the much needed humanitarian efforts to help the children in Haiti.”

Media coverage of the event:

The Huffington Post
Art Magazine Germany
New York Post - Page Six
Art Observed
Us Weekly
MSNBC.com
Daily Mail
Getty Images 
Faded Youth Blog
Just Jared
Metro UK