An entire mural of Michael Andrews’ famous Soho Colony Room was sold for £ 38,400 at the Lyon & Turnbull Modern and Contemporary Art & Design sale in London on 27 September 2008.
The famous Soho Colony Room was frequented by artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, and Damien Hirst.
The 15-foot-long Michael Andrews mural painted on burlap of hikers adorned the walls of the drinking club since the 1950s.
The mural was purchased by James Hyman of the James Hyman Gallery, London, who represents the property of the late Michael Andrews.
James Hyman said: “I think it was important to buy the piece from a historical point of view. The Colony Room is a part of London’s cultural history and the mural was the centerpiece. At this point I’m not sure what will happen to it. , I am pleased to have secured it for future generations to enjoy. It really should be in a museum, in my opinion the piece is so important. I am surprised the Tate or the Museum of London would not accept it, especially since the price did not It was stratospheric; the mural is easily worth between £ 150,000 and £ 200,000. I represent the heirs of Michael Andrews so I’m glad I was able to save the work and hopefully this will give British museums a second chance to buy this iconic piece of art world history. “
Andrews painted it over a weekend instead of an unpaid bar bill, from an image from a book on Bonnard that he reinterpreted. The Colony Room was founded in 1948 by Muriel Belcher, who ran the club until her death in 1979. After 60 years in the same Soho building, the site’s lease expired and the bar will close at the end of December. 2008.
Since the Club was founded in 1948, the Colony Room has been an institution on the London art scene. This small club on the first floor has played host to some of the greatest post-war artists, notably Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud. In more recent years, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Kate Moss have all been regular habits.