I’m occasionally invited to create and donate art to charity auctions.
It’s always fun and an honour. Here are a few pieces I’ve made to support charities that work to tackle homelessness in the UK and the US, respectively.

Over the
City Life
(2019)

During a trip to LA, I was told about 100 Pieces. Run by Amy Favat, the auction invites artists to help raise money for Safe Place for Youth, a non-profit that supports young people facing homelessness in LA. Their work is right up my street, so I gladly accepted an invitation to contribute a piece to their next event.

'Over the City Life' by David Allain

‘Over the City Life’ comprises photography shot whilst travelling between Rwanda, Malawi, and the UK. Also includes a little something shot closer to home.

Learn more about S.P.Y. at http://www.safeplaceforyouth.org

In 2020, the piece was published in a photography book raising money for The Film & TV Charity: https://www.filmtogether.uk

Safe Place for Youth - 100 Pieces Charity Auction, Los Angeles, 2019
Safe Place for Youth - 100 Pieces Charity Auction, Los Angeles, 2019

My Ends Sit
on the Back
of a City Fox
(2012)

Following our contribution to an auction for Shelter, V and I were asked if we’d like to create something new for their next event called Up My Street. We excitedly accepted the invitation but due to work abroad, V became unavailable.

Inspired by mythemes and the idea of World Animals: growing up in East London, instead of on the back of elephants or a giant turtle, I always imagined my world sitting on the back of a city fox.

My Ends Sit on the Back of a City Fox by David Allain (2012)

I was honoured for the piece to hang beside art by Jake and Dinos Chapman, and to be sold in the auction alongside work by Antony Gormley and Miles Aldridge.

Board of the Capital
(2010)

Created with my long time collaborator, V.V. Brown. Having contributed comic artwork to a charity magazine in 2009, the PR agency Margaret asked if we wanted to contribute to an upcoming charity auction called 52 Weeks. The event would raise money for Shelter, who aim to tackle homelessness in the UK.

Being a filmmaker and a musician, we found the prospect of creating ‘art’ both exciting and daunting. We created a pop art piece that charts London’s architecture through the centuries (including the city’s oldest tower and pub).

'Board of the Capital'-by V.V. Brown & David Allain

It was an privilege to take part and we learned loads! The piece was sold in the auction along with pieces by Grayson Perry and Peter Blake.

Learn more about Shelter at https://www.shelter.org.uk

Shelter Charity Auction Room, London

For project or press enquiries contact studio@davidallain.com