Audi A1 by Damien Hirst Goes to Sir Elton John's Charity

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) will benefit this year from a one-off A1 art car created by British artist Damien Hirst that will be auctioned for charity at this year’s White Tie and Tiara Ball. The event, which is scheduled for June 24, is set to take place at the home of Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.

According to the British division of Audi, the car has been spin painted by the artist in his studio in Gloucestershire, and is fully driveable and road legal.

“This is one of the most exciting auction items we have ever had for White Tie,” said Elton John in a press statement.

“Audi has been a wonderful partner with us, and this year they have really produced something fantastic,” added David Furnish. “I am sure it will be a huge hit with our guests.”

This will mark the eighth year Audi has supported EJAF with special auction lots, and this one-off A1 art car is the most exclusive donation the carmaker has ever made. The A1 will only go on sale in the UK this November, so this means this car has been created even in advance of the vehicle’s mainland European launch dates.

“We are enormously proud to support Sir Elton John’s remarkable fundraising ball for the eighth year in succession with the donation of a priceless and unrepeatable work of art for auction,” said Audi UK Director Jeremy Hicks.

EJAF currently manages over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries. The White Tie & Tiara Ball has been generating some £40 million since its launch in 1993.