Bono Art Auction Raises $42.5m

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Bono and artist Damien Hirst joined forces last night to raise $42.5m (£21.6m) for the fight against Aids.

The unlikely pairing organised an auction of art works in New York, with many major artists, including Banksy, donating pieces.

The donators literally suffered for their art when Bono led an excruciating-sounding sing-along of the Beatles' ‘All You Need Is Love’ as the auction began. An audience including hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, tennis star John McEnroe and Queen Noor of Jordan joined in. Oh dear.

But the evening’s purpose was fulfilled when Bono’s target of $25m was smashed as 17 artists broke sales records for their works. Hirst, who donated seven items, saw one of them – a cabinet filled with drugs to treat HIV – sell for $7.15m (£3.6m).

“Tonight we got serious about love,” said the U2 singer. “And not just the love of art, but the love of our brothers and sisters suffering from Aids in the poorest places on the planet.”

The auction was held at Manhattan’s Gagosian Gallery, and was organised with the help of Sotheby’s. The United Nations Foundation to support HIV/Aids relief programmes in Africa will receive all proceeds.