In October 2025, Christie’s London will host a landmark auction featuring the remarkable Ole Faarup Collection, spotlighting exceptional works by renowned contemporary artists Peter Doig and Chris Ofili. This single-owner sale represents the lifetime collecting journey of Ole Faarup, a revered Danish entrepreneur and art collector whose visionary passion helped shape one of the most significant contemporary art collections globally.
The Ole Faarup Collection Auction Overview
The Ole Faarup Collection will be presented during Christie’s 20th/21st Century Art sale series from October 8 to 21, 2025, combining live sales and a dedicated online auction. The sale will benefit the Ole Faarup Art Foundation, which supports emerging artists and promotes Danish and international contemporary art through museum placements and public programs.
Ole Faarup began his collecting journey in New York in the 1960s, inspired by artist movements he encountered during visits to the Museum of Modern Art. Returning to Denmark, he built a successful design business that funded his evolving art collection. Faarup’s assemblage includes early works by Scandinavian modernists like Asger Jorn and Per Kirkeby, alongside prominent international figures and cutting-edge contemporary artists.
Highlighted Works by Peter Doig
Foremost in the auction are two masterworks by Peter Doig, one of the most celebrated painters of his generation. His “Country Rock” (1998–99), a vivid ten-foot-wide depiction of a brightly painted Toronto subway tunnel, is estimated between £7 million and £10 million. This painting encapsulates Doig’s characteristic “memory myth” style, blending nostalgia and abstraction and was prominently featured in the catalogue for his 2008 Tate retrospective.
Also on offer is Doig’s “Ski Jacket” (1994), inspired by an obscure newspaper image of a Japanese ski resort. This piece, estimated between £6 million and £8 million, exemplifies his early approach to composition and color—a hallmark of his rise following his Turner Prize nomination the same year.
Notable Work by Chris Ofili
The auction also spotlights Chris Ofili’s “Blossom” (1997), valued between £1 million and £1.5 million. Created around the time of his acclaimed and controversial works “The Holy Virgin Mary” and “No Woman No Cry,” “Blossom” combines African symbolism and Catholic iconography with Ofili’s signature use of textured surfaces and elephant dung. The painting has been featured in major retrospectives in London and New York, a pivotal exemplar of his career.
Additional Highlights
Alongside Doig and Ofili, the collection contains a 1981 Basquiat oilstick piece estimated at £300,000–£500,000, representing the artist’s breakthrough period. Other works include pieces from the Young British Artists, Danish modernists, and globally significant contemporary practitioners.
Exhibition and Viewing
Christie’s will exhibit the Ole Faarup Collection in London at 8 King Street, St. James's, from October 8 to 14, 2025. Public viewing hours are weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm and weekends from noon to 5 pm, providing collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to engage with this diverse and influential collection ahead of the auction.
Impact on the Contemporary Art Market
This auction represents a major moment for the high-end contemporary art market, which has experienced cooling trends yet continues to value rarity and provenance highly. The Ole Faarup Collection encapsulates decades of thoughtful collecting — combining Scandinavian and international artists, early acquisitions of rising stars, and works that trace evolving artistic movements.
The sale is poised to attract global collectors and institutions, further highlighting Christie’s role in facilitating access to masterpieces with compelling histories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who was Ole Faarup?
A: Ole Faarup was a Danish entrepreneur and visionary art collector known for his pioneering acquisitions in Scandinavian modernism and contemporary art. The Ole Faarup Art Foundation continues his legacy.
Q: Which Peter Doig works are featured in the auction?
A: The auction highlights “Country Rock” (est. £7–10 million) and “Ski Jacket” (est. £6–8 million), both seminal paintings from his key development phases.
Q: What makes Chris Ofili’s “Blossom” significant?
A: Created during a pivotal period of Ofili’s career, it blends African and Catholic symbolism and features his textural style, marking it a cornerstone work.
Q: How can I view the Ole Faarup Collection before the auction?
A: The collection will be exhibited at Christie’s London from October 8 to 14, 2025, with public viewing hours on weekdays and weekends.
Q: What role does Christie’s play in contemporary art auctions?
A: Christie’s facilitates major sales that bring together historic and emerging artists, helping collectors and institutions access treasured works worldwide.
For visuals and more details on the auction, visit Christie’s official page for The Ole Faarup Collection and follow their updates on Instagram.
This exceptional auction symbolizes the enduring impact of Ole Faarup’s collecting vision and the vibrant pulse of contemporary art today.A Wojnarowicz Mural Was Rediscovered in Kentucky After Four Decades—Now It’s Being Hidden Again
In a remarkable turn of events, a mural by the influential American artist and activist David Wojnarowicz was rediscovered in Louisville, Kentucky, decades after it was assumed lost. Originally painted in 1985 during a community art project called “The Missing Children Show,” the mural resurfaced behind drywall during recent renovations, only to be concealed again shortly thereafter. This unfolding story brings to light the challenges of preserving politically and socially significant art amid urban development pressures.
The Origins and Rediscovery of the Mural
David Wojnarowicz, known for his fearless exploration of identity, trauma, and social justice themes, created the mural alongside other East Village artists for an exhibition designed to raise awareness and funds for child victims of abuse. This powerful initiative took place in a now-repurposed industrial building on Louisville’s East Main Street, hosted to support child advocacy programs in the community.
The mural, Wojnarowicz’s largest surviving outdoor work, features vivid and symbolic imagery including a burning house, a gagged cow, and fragmented landscapes. These motifs reflect his experiences and activism during the AIDS crisis, as well as broader social struggles.
The rediscovery happened in 2022 when renovations at the Billy Goat building revealed colorful fragments behind drywall partitions. Architect Moseley Putney convinced workers to uncover the mural fully, revealing a nearly intact piece of art history that had escaped destruction since the building’s 1986 conversion to apartments. The David Wojnarowicz Foundation heralded this find as a rare and miraculous preservation of the artist’s legacy.
Preservation Challenges and Controversy
Despite hopes that the mural would be conserved and publicly exhibited, the current property developers chose to cover it again in 2025 to accommodate a gym tenant. While they regard the drywall covering as protective, preservationists and advocates argue this conceals a vital piece of cultural heritage that speaks to ongoing social justice issues.
This decision has sparked a wider debate about the responsibilities of private property owners to maintain and make accessible site-specific artworks, especially those protected under laws like the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), which safeguards against destruction or alteration of such works but does not guarantee public viewing.
David Wojnarowicz’s Enduring Influence
Wojnarowicz’s unique blend of creative expression and activism continues to resonate in museums and public discourse. His work confronts issues such as government neglect, homophobia, and illness with raw emotion and urgency. The mural in Louisville stands as a tangible, public testament to these themes and remains a critical artifact of 1980s activist art.
Institutions like the PPOW Gallery maintain his estate and continue to promote his work globally, ensuring new generations understand his contributions to art and society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who was David Wojnarowicz?
A: An acclaimed artist and activist noted for challenging social injustices through multimedia works. More about his life and impact can be found through the PPOW Gallery.
Q: What was the purpose of “The Missing Children Show”?
A: It was an art exhibition by East Village artists aimed at raising awareness and support for child abuse victims in Kentucky.
Q: How was the mural preserved for decades?
A: During the 1986 building renovation, the mural was covered by a stud wall rather than destroyed, which inadvertently protected it until its rediscovery.
Q: Why is the mural covered again now?
A: The owner covered it with drywall for commercial space adaptation, leading to concerns about future preservation and visibility.
Q: What protections exist for murals like this?
A: The Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) prohibits destruction but does not mandate public access, creating legal and ethical complexities.
This evolving story underscores the tension between urban growth, private ownership, and cultural stewardship. It serves as a call to action to recognize and preserve works that embody resistance, memory, and social commentary.
For visual context and further information, see coverage by ArtNews and The Art Newspaper.