Your boy at Christie’s (again)
An evening of glitz and glam, raising money for our community, testing the waters and me feeling generally awkward.
Aside from my own view
… although I was and still feel deeply conflicted about the commodification of our work. So many great pieces of art have gone through Christie’s doors and sold for sums that I can’t even fathom from where I sit in life, from where most artists that were there that evening sit in life. I still feel so awkward in those spaces.
I care deeply about the work the THT is doing. Their impact reaches many within the LGBTQIA+ community; my community. It’s my way to let them know I think of them often. We are on the cusp of eradicating HIV, but my poz peeps still need and deserve real support.
In the past, I donated small pieces, no bigger than A3. Easier to sell too, since most people can fit them on their walls way easier than a statement piece. I didn’t have anything available right there and then, so I decided to make something new. A dream, really. An experimental work from my upcoming exhibition, The Hidden, a reflection on the concealed layers of personal truth. UV-reactive, invisible paint on A1 hard-pressed paper. I’ve been working on the concept for six years.
Picture it, Patrillo style: you walk into a gallery room and all you see is white. White walls holding white A1 sheets of paper, alluding to how people present themselves in the world: pristine, as perfect and as polished as possible. The audience gathers in the centre of the room. The lights go out. The majesty of Perfume Genius’ Otherside (of course) fills the space. A lullaby. An invitation to dream and wonder. And then, BOOM! UV lights reveal a sea of neon colours and shifting shapes. What was hidden becomes visible, ready to be explored, contemplated and understood. Nothing wrong with adding a little spectacle and magic to a gallery show. “It is MEGA” to quote absolutely nobody (yet).
I went to work. I often start with the frame. Find the right frame and half the job is done. Working with recycled frames and materials is an important practice in my studio. I combed through local charity shops, but nothing stood out. My neighbour has an antiques shop I dare not enter, but that morning it called to me. And yes, I believe intuition is a thing. There, I found the one: an old, battered frame. I restored the frame, paint and foil, framed the paper on my easel and painted the first of its kind: Self Portrait 2, a snapshot of my ADHD brain. My husband was proud. And honestly, most times that’s enough. Artwork finished, photographed and delivered. Smita from the THT was brilliant throughout. I really appreciated her dedication throughout the long evenings and weekends.
Soon enough, the auction evening arrived. It’s mostly a blur now. I always feel anxious in those settings, I couldn’t drink because of my ADHD meds, but I was masking AF. I’m very good at that. One thing I do remember: I was excited to see the piece. And when I finally found it, I immediately realised Christie’s had hung it upside down. That was a hearty laugh. My husband and I still laugh about it today. An innocent error.
It is and will always be my greatest privilege to offer my support. I take that seriously. The rest, not so much. As of 19 May 2025, the Terrence Higgins Trust raised £340,500 through the auction, and I’m very happy to play a small part in their success..