Tennis legends Venus Williams and Serena Williams, along with their sister Isha Price, are set to make a significant impact in the art world and beyond. The trio has consigned four never-before-seen works by the iconic Black artist Ernie Barnes to a charity auction. These extraordinary pieces, consisting of two paintings and two drawings, will be available for bidding from July 24 to August 1 on Joopiter, a digital-first auction house founded by Pharrell Williams. The auction aims to benefit the Yetunde Price Resource Center, an organisation founded by the Williams sisters in honor of their late oldest sister, Yetunde, who tragically lost her life to senseless violence in 2003.
A Legendary Collaboration for a Worthy Cause
The consigned works include two paintings: “Holding Court” (1986) and “Mentors” (2008), and two drawings: “Saxophone Study #1” (1993) and “Study for Brother to Brother” (1994). “Mentors” carries a pre-sale estimate of $120,000 to $180,000, while “Holding Court” is expected to fetch between $80,000 to $120,000. Acquired directly from the Barnes estate several years ago, the Williams sisters have partnered with the estate for this charity auction to support the Yetunde Price Resource Center, which provides vital resources and assistance to those affected by violence in Compton and underserved communities across the United States.
Serena Williams, an avid art collector herself, expressed her family’s deep admiration for Ernie Barnes, highlighting how his vibrant imagery envisioned a world of harmony across communities, backgrounds, and races. The Williams sisters’ dedication to empowering communities through art and their passion for making a lasting difference is evident in their involvement in this auction.
A Resurgence of Interest in Ernie Barnes’s Work
Ernie Barnes, who passed away in 2009, is known for his tantalizing canvases that exude joy and energy, capturing moments of leisure among Black individuals. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in his artwork. In 2019, the California African American Museum held a retrospective of his work, followed by a survey focusing on his North Carolina roots at the North Carolina Museum of History in 2018.
Barnes’s legacy continued to shine during the May auctions in 2022 when Christie’s offered his iconic painting “Sugar Shack” with a low estimate of $150,000. The piece, which appeared on a Marvin Gaye album cover and in the opening credits of the TV show “Good Times,” astounded the art world by selling for a record-breaking $15.3 million, approximately 80 times its low estimate.
A Commitment to Social Justice and Community
Ernie Barnes’s dedication to social justice, racial equity, the depiction of women, and community aligns perfectly with the values of the Yetunde Price Resource Center and Joopiter. The Williams sisters’ collaboration with Joopiter represents a powerful effort to use the art world as a platform for positive change. By offering these never-before-seen works, they hope to raise awareness and funds for the center’s essential community-based initiatives.
The Impact of the Williams Sisters in the Art World
Venus Williams’s philanthropic endeavors in the art world are not new. Recently, she partnered with artist Adam Pendleton to host an auction at Pace Gallery, raising funds for the preservation of Nina Simone’s childhood home in North Carolina. The auction featured artworks donated by prominent artists, including Stanley Whitney, Martin Puryear, Cecily Brown, Rashid Johnson, Ellen Gallagher, and Julie Mehretu.
In a joint statement, the Williams sisters expressed their deep love for art and their desire to enrich and empower their community through their collaboration with Joopiter. They hope to continue Ernie Barnes’s legacy of using art as a catalyst for societal change, inspiring individuals and communities alike.
Conclusion
The charity auction of Ernie Barnes’s never-before-seen works, led by the Williams sisters and Joopiter, is remarkable as it brings to light the impacts art can have on society. Beyond their illustrious tennis careers, Venus and Serena Williams have established themselves as influential figures in the art world, using their platform to promote social justice, empower communities, and honour their sister’s memory.
As the auction unfolds, the art world eagerly anticipates the outcome, hopeful that these exceptional artworks will not only find new homes but also make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need. Through art and collaboration, the Williams sisters continue to champion causes close to their hearts, leaving an indelible mark on the art world and society at large.
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