Anita and Poju Zabludowicz, prominent contemporary art collectors based in the UK, are set to auction around 100 works from their extensive family collection next month, with estimates reaching nearly £20 million. The sale, hosted by Christie’s in London, features pieces by artists including Damien Hirst, Yoshitomo Nara, Antony Gormley, Philip Guston, and Henry Taylor, and is described by the auction house as a highlight of its summer season.

The Zabludowiczs have been influential figures in the contemporary art world since formalizing their collection in 1994. They were founding benefactors of Tate Modern when it opened in 2000, and Anita served as a trustee of the Camden Arts Centre for 15 years, now holding the title of trustee emeritus. The couple also operated a nonprofit art space named 176 in Camden, North London, from 2007 until 2023. Anita was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her services to the arts.

Despite their prominence, since 2014, the couple has faced criticism and calls for boycotts due to their alleged ties to Israel and its military apparatus, particularly arising from founder Poju’s familial connection to Soltam Systems, an Israeli-Finnish defence company founded by his late father, a Polish Holocaust survivor. A campaign initiated by artists known as Boycott Divest Zabludowicz led to 25 artists withdrawing association with their works in the collection in 2021. However, Christie’s confirmed that none of these artists’ pieces are included in the current auction. A family spokesperson stated that most of Tamares Group’s—Poju’s private equity firm—investments are in the US, UK, and Finland, with only a small portion in Israel, and denied any holdings in the West Bank or military-related interests.

The upcoming auction includes notable works such as Philip Guston’s “Mirror Head” (1977), estimated between £3.5 million and £5.5 million; Henry Taylor’s “untitled (jade in white)” (2012), valued up to £180,000; and Damien Hirst’s red butterfly painting “I Love You” (1994-95), estimated up to £800,000. Yoshitomo Nara’s large white sculpture “Your Dog” (2002) will also be offered, with estimates ranging from £550,000 to £850,000. Antony Gormley’s “Quantum Cloud XXXIII” (2000), a tall steel sculpture once playfully used as a Christmas tree by the couple’s daughter Tiffany, is valued between £300,000 and £500,000.

Anita Zabludowicz characterized this moment as “a moment of renewal” and signaled a personal need for reflection after more than three decades of continuous engagement with the art world. She did not explicitly link the decision to sell with the current geopolitical tensions following the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel but emphasized passing responsibility for the collection to the next generation of the family. Tiffany Zabludowicz, who holds a master’s degree from the Courtauld Institute and manages the family’s New York project Times Square Space, described growing up with art as a “fifth sibling” and highlighted the challenges contemporary artists face in securing studio spaces in major cities like London and New York.

The family has shifted from solely acquiring artworks to also supporting artists through commissions and residencies. One such program operates on Sarvisalo, a small island off Finland, where artists have created site-specific works, including Matthew Day Jackson’s underground concrete chamber housing a bronze sculpture. Since closing their nonprofit space 176, the Zabludowiczs have increased loans to museums and, while they have donated nearly 40 works to various national collections, they have not considered donating the pieces set for auction. Tiffany noted that the family works with advisors to time donations in relation to artists’ career stages.

Christie’s declined to comment on whether controversy surrounding the Zabludowicz family’s background might impact buyer demand. However, Franka Haidner, managing director of Christie’s EMEA, affirmed strong interest in exceptional museum-quality works being offered in the sale.

Anita reflected on the timing of the auction, saying, “now seemed like the right time,” adding that it is unique to be involved in such a sale while still alive and able to share the experience with her children. The auction will have an online component running from June 18 to 30, culminating in a live sale on June 25.