Forget Marcel Duchamp’s legendary ‘Fountain’, British Art Fair’s official charity, WaterAid, goes one better this year with an exhibition and auction of toilet seats designed by 25 artists including Boy George Martin Parr, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Pam Hogg, Val Garland, Ozwald Boateng, Pure Evil, Hayden Kays and Harry Hill on view at British Art Fair that opens this week on Thursday 26th September.
Titled Best Seat in the House, this project originated from a collaboration between WaterAid and photographer Rankin in 2021. The aim was to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis which sees one in five people in the world (1.5 billion people) without access to a decent toilet. The collection has developed over the past three years, with the latest exhibit – by Sophie Tea – added in 2024. The exhibition at British Art Fair represents the first time these quirky creations go up for sale giving the public a chance to own a one-of-a-kind piece by a famous artist and support WaterAid’s vital work.
Visit Best Seat in the House You can find WaterAid’s Best Seat in the House exhibition on the 2nd floor at British Art Fair with entry included with the fair ticket. britishartfair.co.uk
Buy a Best Seat in the House The works will be sold by online auction with bidding opening on 23rd September and closing on 29th September 2024. wateraid.org/bestseat
The proceeds from the auction will support WaterAid’s mission to bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to communities around the world, directly impacting the health, dignity, education, and livelihoods of millions.
The full list of artists who have contributed artwork is; Bambi, Boy George, Carrie Reichardt, Charlotte Colbert, Chila Burman, Daisy Collingridge, George Morton-Clark, Gina Soden, Harry Hill?, Haseebah Ali, Hayden Kays, Jessica Albarn, Joe Sweeney, Liaqat Rasul, Martin Parr, Nettie Wakefield, Ozwald Boateng, Pam Hogg, Pure Evil, Roo Dhissou, Seema Mattu, Soozy Lipsey, Sophie Tea, Val Garland and Dame Zandra Rhodes.
British Art Fair 26th – 29th September 2024 Saatchi Gallery britishartfair.co.uk
WaterAid
Founded in 1981, WaterAid works with its supporters, partners and local communities to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. They have already reached millions of people, across 28 countries, providing 28.5 million people with clean water, 29 million with decent toilets, and 27.8 million with good hygiene. With these basics, entire communities have been able to unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. www.wateraid.org
