Rolls-Royce charity event held in support of allergy research

A major philanthropic event raised in excess of $2.56 million at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, on Saturday, 21 September 2019. Rolls-Royce's 'Evelina Art for Allergy x Dine on the Line' was held in support of allergy research by Evelina London Children's Hospital.

The star of the show was undoubtedly a Phantom, a collaboration between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and world-renowned artist Marc Quinn. The winning bidder of this headline lot is a valued collector of the marque. Mark Quinn created a bespoke artwork featuring the iris of the winning bidder's daughter, using the Rolls-Royce Phantom as his canvas. The highly personalised and creative work of art raised an auspicious £888 thousand ($1.52 million), with the generous patron excitedly bidding well over £1 million ($1.7 million) in total during the course of the evening.

The artwork takes inspiration from Quinn's on-going series of iris paintings, named We Share Our Chemistry with the Stars.

The auction, led by globally acknowledged art auctioneer Simon de Pury, saw art world cognoscenti and Rolls-Royce collectors bid at an unprecedented pace. The auctioneer extraordinaire likened the artwork to John Lennon's Phantom V, describing it as 'the 21^st century equivalent' of the legendary psychedelic motor car. The audience agreed as the staggering amount continued to rise generating rapturous applause.

Other phenomenal auction lots attracted substantial bids. Works by some of the world's most sought-after artists included British artists Jake & Dinos Chapman, David Yarrow, Harland Miller and Mary McCartney. Proceeds generated from the auction will be donated to Evelina London to fund vital allergy research.

The evening of art, automotive and culinary experiences also featured British artist Jonathan Huxley creating a new artwork, live at the event.

The evening included an exquisite and immersive dining experience, where guests enjoyed a menu carefully curated by world-renowned chef, Giorgio Locatelli.

Following the auction, singer-songwriter John Newman entertained guests, before DJ Fat Tony closed out an extraordinary evening of philanthropy.