Mario Testino talks nudity and nostalgia ahead of his private art auction
‘Nakedness is the most beautiful state,’ says Testino, whose personal art auction starts at Sotheby’s London today
A selection of Mario Testino’s personal art collection, titled Shake It Up, goes on auction at Sotheby’s London today, and will feature more than 400 artworks.
The event will feature artists from 45 countries, including Sterling Ruby, Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, Cecily Brown, Paul McCarthy, Urs Fischer, Adriana Verajão and Vik Muniz.
After two auctions on September 13 and 14, an online sale of photographs collected by Testino will be available. Proceeds will go to Testino’s not-for-profit Museo MATE in Peru.
STYLE caught up with Testino ahead of the auction to ask him about his favourite pieces and fond memories with the artists.
Parting with a private collection is an emotional process. What made you decide to put these pieces on auction?
I decided to do this sale because I realised that by having my museum in Peru, Museo MATE, I could do so many things – but to do anything with real, long term impact one needs funding! I realised many of these works I had enjoyed for years, some living in my home and some living in storage, I could sell. To help artists in Peru, through residencies and exhibitions, and also expand our education programme and the museum in general.
I’ve been collecting for over 25 years and I’ve never sold anything. This is the first time I’ve decided to sell something because I can see a reason to sell: it’s allowing me to give back to the community that gave me so much, my country.