Elton John is one of the most colorful figures in music history. The pop star owns countless extravagant art objects. The auction house Christie’s is now putting some up for sale.
New York art director Iris and photographer Steven come out of a dark room laughing. A sign at the entrance warns: Exhibits only suitable for adults. Iris says she took a lot of photos. It’s frivolous, shrill and colorful in the lower rooms of the two-week exhibition for the Elton John auction at Christie’s in New York. They say they’re actually not big Elton John fans. But the art that they can see here for free is a unique opportunity. Soon everything would end up individually with buyers.
On the wall behind the two of them, the lettering “Horny”, roughly translated as “excited”, shines in neon purple and oversized. The object is made of glass tube, wood and metal with electrical wiring. At almost three meters long, it would be an eye-catcher in any bar or apartment. The auction house estimates its selling price at $1,000 to $1,500. A real Keith Haring is expected to fetch $300,000 to $500,000; a three-part Banksy one million to one and a half million US dollars.
Photo gallery
Bright colors, flashy outfits
Peachtree Road as a place of inspiration
In 1991, Elton John bought an apartment on Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Originally intended as a base for his US tours, it quickly became a special place for him. After years of drugs and alcohol, after withdrawal and therapy, he reinvented himself there. Many of his valuable art objects stood, hung and lay there. He also wrote the album of the same name there, said Elton John in a film for the auction. The artist, who is known, among other things, for his global hit “Rocketman,” says about Peachtree Road:
I hope visitors think, oh my God, he likes so many different things… and that’s exactly what my apartment in Atlanta was all about. It’s been my cave, full of things that I just love.
His husband David Furnish – with whom he has two sons – remembers in the film: Elton’s odyssey as a collector of contemporary art began in Atlanta. Sober and clear-eyed, Elton John saw the world with different eyes and things spoke to him completely differently.
Versace silk shirts
Since then, art, jewelry and, above all, photography have enriched the life of the British musician and composer. Because Elton John obsessively buys more and more, he soon owns four neighboring apartments. During this time he enjoys his treasures every day as he passes by.
At that time he also received creative input from his good friend, the designer Gianni Versace. His silk shirts in bright colors with gold and large patterns make him addicted. According to Elton John in the film, he only wore half of them. He just wanted to hang her up. It was like an art installation with shirts and looked so beautiful. Now five of these shirts are going under the hammer as a set for at least $2,000 to $2,500.
Elton John particularly liked suits with bright colors.
The colorful shirts, the expensive works of art – Iraqly doesn’t care about any of that. The young man stands in amazement in front of a black-lacquered Yamaha grand piano that shines against shimmering blue mosaic walls. Iraqly is very excited and makes lots of videos. This is very exclusive and very special, it is Elton John’s piano. His music will last forever and he has done so much for people and changed their lives. Especially for the LGBTQ community.
On the wall next to it, a small sign reveals the estimated value of the piano: $30,000 to $50,000. Incidentally, the proceeds from the auction go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which was founded in 1992. The year Elton John came out as gay.
Charlotte Voß, ARD New York, tagesschau, February 21, 2024 3:25 p.m