BBC News Online: Entertainment

Bowie spearheads anti-drug auction

The fundraising event at Sotheby's auction house in London is called Art Against Addiction and has been spearheaded by Bowie himself.

With the help of leading contemporary artist Martin Maloney, Bowie has encouraged 70 others to create new works on the theme of addiction.

They will be exhibited at Thursday's event when guests can also bid for them on the Sotheby's website.

The bidding closes on 20 February and up to £490,000 is expected to be raised for the charity Action on Addiction.

Among the international artists who have contributed to the sale are Christo and Jason Martin.

Martin's Gold, a work originally commissioned by Vogue for their Christmas 2000 issue, is expected to fetch around £4,000.

Leading European photographer Rineke Dijkstar, winner of the 1999 Citibank Photography Prize, has given a portrait of two young boys, which is expected to raise up to £10,000.

In addition, fashion designer Toby Mott has designed a T-shirt for the Art Against Addiction campaign with the slogan "I have to have it", which will be available from Action on Addiction.

Founded in 1989, the UK-based charity is dedicated to the research, education and treatment of addictions.

The lifestyles of many artists have been accused of glamorising addiction, whether it be heroin, nicotine, alcohol or tranquillisers.

Bowie and Maloney hope research by Action on Addiction will uncover what makes an addictive personality.