From left: Sterling Ruby, Michael Stipe and Iggy Pop's War Child guitars. Images courtesy of War Child USA

Michael Stipe and Iggy Pop create art guitars

Music and art-world stars customise guitars for Bonhams auction in aid of War Child USA

There’s a fine art to the charity auction. Pairing a good cause with worthy goods and suitably talented contributors is no easy feat. Yet War Child USA appears to have pulled it off.

 

Matt Bellamy's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Matt Bellamy's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

The philanthropic organisation, dedicated to helping children caught in regions of conflict, has taken 16 Canadian Carparelli guitars and had them customised by a series of famous names from the music, film and art worlds.

 

Shepard Fairey's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Shepard Fairey's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

Sterling Ruby, Iggy Pop, Michael Stipe, Gus van Sant, Shepard Fairey, ex-Cure guitarist Pearl (formerly Porl) Thompson, Muse frontman Mat Bellamy, the artist Ginger Gilmour (ex-wife of Pink Floyd's Roger), Canadian painter Michael Adamson, and British artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson have all reworked an instrument.

 

Ginger Gilmour's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Ginger Gilmour's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

Some of the contributors have gieven their works names. Michael Stipe has called his Radiant Guitar, while Iggy Pop's is dubbed Soulman. Iggy even penned some lyrics to go with his: "Soulman goin' 110 / colored dots signify the end / Soulman sings a soulful song / clear and simple, deep and long."

 

Michael Adamson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Michael Adamson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

As a series, they bring to mind Duchamp's readymades, and perhaps Pop Art's appropriation of commercial imagery. Indeed, musical instrument form has proved popular with artists since the dawn of Modernism; Picasso produced a series of guitar works towards the beginning of last century.

   

Sam Taylor-Johnson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Sam Taylor-Johnson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

In common with that series, this one is both beautiful and useful. "From the anguish of Picasso’s Guernica to the righteous fury of the Clash and Public Enemy, art has always held up a mirror to humanity’s fascination with war and violence," Dr. Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child USA, told Rolling Stone.

"War Child has always looked to artists to help us give voice to the millions of children marginalized by conflict. This Bonhams guitar auction is the latest outstanding example of the remarkable support we have received over the years."

 

Stipe working on his guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Stipe working on his guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

This sentiment is echoed by the works' creators. “No person, and certainly no child, should have to endure what many of these children have lived through, and in some cases, still live in,” said Stipe.  “I am honoured to be able to make a small contribution towards helping them.”


Pearl Thompson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Pearl Thompson's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

If you’ve deep pockets and like the look of one of these, then head to Bonhams in New York 9 November at 7pm, when the works will be auctioned. All the proceeds go to the charity.

 

Gus Van Sant's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA
Gus Van Sant's guitar. Image courtesy of War Child USA

And for some deeper insight pick up a copy of The 21st Century Art Book. Meanwhile for more on how to handle yourself in the auction room, buy Collecting Art for Love, Money and More.