Tracey Emin bed to feature in Saatchi Gallery auction

A four poster bed by Tracey Emin is among a selection of works from London's Saatchi Gallery to be auctioned at Christies.

The bed is among 50 "major" contemporary sculptures and installations being offered as part of the Thinking Big sale in October.

The auction will support free entry to exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery and a schools education programme.

In an "pioneering" step, each work will be offered without estimate or reserve.

Phillipa Adams, senior director at the Saatchi Gallery said the aim of offering items for sale without restrictions is to give museums, institutions and collectors the "broadest possible access" to major artworks.

"This will be the first time in history that works of this scale will be so readily accessible," she said.

"To this end, our endeavour is to reflect the Gallery's commitment to constantly support and showcase emerging talent.

"We hope this new platform will bridge new dialogues and the works from this sale will be seen by new audiences across the world."

The four poster bed by Turner Prize-winner Emin entitled To Meet My Past, was acquired by the Saatchi Gallery in 2002. The installation features embroidered linen hangings.

Other contemporary artists included in the sale are Berlinde de Bruyckere, whose work at the Belgian Pavilion features in this year's Venice Biennale and David Altmejd, Karla Black and Liu Wei, all of whom were selected for Art Basel's Art Unlimited show of large-scale sculpture.

More recent talents include Toby Ziegler and William Shawcross's son Conrad, who is currently exhibiting at the Roundhouse in London.

Francis Outred, Christie's head of post-war & contemporary art in Europe, said she hopes the sale will inspire people.

"Thinking Big refers to the huge ambition and imagination of the artists here, as much as it does to the scale of their work, and to the power of educating young people about art."

Source: BBC