• Auction 24981

    Art of the Game

    2 July 2026 - 17 July 2026, New York
  • Auction overview

    The Art of the Game is a landmark online auction celebrating the intersection of contemporary art and the global phenomenon of football, staged in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Conceived by Arts14C and the New York New Jersey Host Committee as a once-in-a-generation public art initiative, the project brings together 23 internationally recognized artists to transform monumental soccer ball sculptures into dynamic works displayed across New York and New Jersey.

    Christie’s is thrilled to be offering a select group of these works, including sculptures by Hank Willis Thomas, Katherine Bernhardt and Bony Ramirez, in an online auction. A portion of the proceeds from this online sale will benefit ARTS 14C and Studio in a School. Starting as an idea to support artists in the New Jersey area, ARTS 14C is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to increase opportunities for artists, expand public access to the arts, and strengthen careers in the arts. Studio in a School was founded by the late art collector and philanthropist Agnes Gund and aims to bring visual arts education to public school across New York City.

    The works for sale will be exhibited from June 11th through to September 3rd at the following locations:

    Fred Wilson: Hudson Yards

    Tomokazu Matsuyama: Columbus Circle

    Hank Willis Thomas: Christie’s Rockefeller Center

    Katherine Bernhardt: Christie’s Rockefeller Center

    Bony Ramirez: New York/New Jersey Stadium*

    By uniting world-class artists, a global sporting stage, and a meaningful charitable purpose, The Art of the Game represents a rare opportunity to acquire works that capture the spirit, scale, and legacy of the 2026 World Cup.

    *indicates a sculpture that will be de-installed on July 20th.

  • Auction information
    • Auction
      • Online
        2 Jul, 10am (Lots 1 - 5)
  • Contact the department
    • Senior Sale Coordinator
      Grace Parker
      gparker@christies.com
      Tel: +1 212 468 7132
    • Business Manager
      Mattos Paschal
      mpaschal@christies.com
      Tel: +1 212 636 2642
    • Cataloguer
      Lily Damgard
      ldamgard@christies.com
      Tel: +1 917 689 4032
5 Lots for Sale 24981
Lot 1
KATHERINE BERNHARDT (B. 1975)
Cosmic Clash
hand-sprayed UV print, aluminum Dibond panels and steel
72 x 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 x 182.9 cm.)
overall with base: 92 x 120 x 120 in. (233.7 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm.)
estimate
$30,000 - $50,000

PRICE REALIZED
________________________
________________________
Lot 2
HANK WILLIS THOMAS (B. 1976)
Goooooooaaaaal
UV printed retro-reflective vinyl on Dibond, coated with shallac, resin and varnish
72 x 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 x 182.9 cm.)
overall with base: 92 x 120 x 120 in. (233.7 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm.)
estimate
$50,000 - $70,000

PRICE REALIZED
________________________
________________________
Lot 3
TOMOKAZU MATSUYAMA (B. 1976)
Softly Distance
UV print, aluminum Dibond panels and steel
72 x 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 x 182.9 cm.)
overall with base: 92 x 120 x 120 in. (233.7 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm.)
estimate
$30,000 - $50,000

PRICE REALIZED
________________________
________________________
Lot 4
FRED WILSON (B. 1954)
Zygotes
UV print, aluminum Dibond panels and steel
72 x 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 x 182.9 cm.)
overall with base: 92 x 120 x 120 in. (233.7 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm.)
estimate
$20,000 - $30,000

PRICE REALIZED
________________________
________________________
Lot 5
BONY RAMIREZ (B. 1996)
Flora of Communication
UV print, aluminum Dibond panels and steel
72 x 72 x 72 in. (182.9 x 182.9 x 182.9 cm.)
overall with base: 92 x 120 x 120 in. (233.7 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm.)
estimate
$20,000 - $30,000

PRICE REALIZED
________________________
________________________
The currency conversion rates on Christies.com are updated daily. Any conversion of a pre-sale estimate or price realized into a currency different from that of the saleroom site is solely for your convenience. Errors may occur in such conversion and currencies fluctuate. We do not accept liability for such errors or fluctuations or for any reliance you or others may have on the converted currency amounts. All purchase must be made in the currency of the country where the saleroom is located.