Top collector Alberto Mugrabi shelled out $250,000 for a barely dry painting by star artist Mark Grotjahn at a charity auction on August 25 at Montauk’s Surf Lodge, according to a report in Page Six.
Related: Collector Alberto ‘Tico’ Mugrabi To Wed Finance Mogul’s Daughter In Luxe French Riviera Ceremony
Mugrabi and his family have shown an avid devotion to Andy Warhol (the family’s collection is said to be among the largest privately-owned troves in the world), as well as to artists including Richard Prince, and Christopher Wool. Grotjahn, who’s best known for his dazzling, thickly painted “butterfly” paintings, has been a hot ticket for years. The current record for one of his oil paintings at auction, is $6.2 million, paid for Untitled (into and behind the green eyes of the tiger monkey face 43.18) (2011) at Sotheby’s in May 2015.
The auction, hosted by Christie’s international specialist and deputy chairman for postwar and contemporary art Loic Gouzer, was a benefit for Oceana, a non-profit that protects the world’s oceans. He joined their board of directors in 2013, and his considerable art world clout has helped raise money and draw attention to ocean conservation.
Gouzer, an avid freediver, frequently chronicles his adventures around the world via his Instagram feed, which bears the label, “Art, Sharks, and stupid stuff.”
