Comprising works by contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, the works will be offered across 200 lots at the London saleroom in King Street on March 14 and an online-only auction.
Estimates begin at £400 with top estimates at £1.5m. Proceeds go to George Michael’s charitable trust.
Part of the collection will be taken on tour, beginning in New York from today, travelling to Los Angeles until February 16, Hong Kong from February 19-22, Shanghai on February 23-28 and then at Christie’s King Street in London on March 9-14.
Philanthropic work
The singer and songwriter, who died in December 2016, secretly gave millions of pounds to charity during his life-time.
Jussi Pylkkänen, global president of Christie’s, said: “We are delighted to be organising this major auction of The Collection of George Michael to allow his philanthropic work to continue.”
Cristian Albu, co-head post-war and contemporary art at Christie’s, said: “The collection is a celebration of the YBA movement’s spirit of creativity and adventure in the late 1990s, with works ranging from the poetry of Tracey Emin to the transcendence of death manifested by Damien Hirst, and reflects every aspect of this dynamic moment in British cultural history.”
George Michael’s Trustees said: “Philanthropic work was hugely important for George during his lifetime and it was his wish that this work would continue after his passing.”
