eBay’s Artober Kicks Off with Series of Artist Collaborations and Exclusive Sales

This #Artober, eBay is spotlighting art’s invaluable contributions to culture and society by uniting renowned artists on one of the world’s most vibrant online marketplaces. During the month of October, eBay and artists like Yoshitomo Nara, Hank Willis Thomas, Simone Legno of tokidoki, and Carlos Rolón are launching a series of exclusive sales that give shoppers the chance to own art and collectibles from their favorite creatives. A portion of sales from each partnership will benefit programs selected by the artists, and The eBay Foundation will donate $20,000 to be distributed among the organizations as well. 

“This is an astounding group of artists, and our exclusive #Artober releases are sure to speak to the millions of people that make up eBay’s diverse community,” said Sam Bright, Vice President of Merchandising at eBay. “These pieces of work are borne from the artists’ unique experiences and inspiration, both of which we celebrate here at eBay. We’re positioned to bring the unique creations to audiences around the world while supporting organizations that promote and cultivate art in their cities.” 

The Artists

From pieces rich with social commentary to Japanese-inspired works and colorful prints, eBay will offer a broad selection of artwork that resonates with art enthusiasts and collectors from all walks of life in a series of weekly drops:

October 1, Yoshitomo Nara: Nara’s body of work comprises portraits of innocent-looking children reminiscent of his own experience growing up in Japan. But a closer look at any piece imparts a sense of unease on the viewer, and in some cases, even reveals unsettling details like knives and lit cigarettes. 

Those that love the artist’s haunting works will have the chance to own a new Nara print entitled Marching on the Butterbur Leaf, 1,000 open editions of which will be available on eBay for $150 each. The print comes with a special sticker pack, including 5 collectible images within the bundle. One hundred percent of proceeds will go to the Dallas Contemporary Museum, which presents new and challenging ideas from regional, national and international artists.

“The power of eBay is its ability to reach almost anyone, anywhere, which is a huge asset for most artists,” said Nara. “Releasing an exclusive piece of art on eBay is a chance to reach a broader audience who may not necessarily be going to galleries and exhibitions. We’re connecting with those people in an accessible way with something entirely new and impactful.”

“The power of eBay is its ability to reach almost anyone, anywhere, which is a huge asset for most artists,” said Nara. “Releasing an exclusive piece of art on eBay is a chance to reach a broader audience who may not necessarily be going to galleries and exhibitions. We’re connecting with those people in an accessible way with something entirely new and impactful.”

October 4, Simone Legno and tokidoki: Legno, co-founder of lifestyle brand tokidoki, brings his affinity for Japanese culture to life in vivid color, from wall prints and apparel to accessories and more. Having collaborated with brands like Sephora, Marvel and the Guggenheim Museum, his signature style has gained a global following. 

In partnership with eBay, shoppers will be able to purchase two new items that are exclusive to the platform: a new piece of work from Legno entitled Chinatown and a tokidoki unicorno art object. One-hundred editions of the print and 500 objects will be available in total, costing $85 and $40 respectively. A portion of each artwork will be released for purchase on October 4 at eBay’s New York Comic Con booth, with the remainder available to shoppers online beginning Monday, October 7 at www.ebay.com/tokidoki.

A portion of all sales will be donated to Children Mending Hearts, a foundation whose goal is to help end bullying and intolerance through art and empathy programs.   

October 15, Hank Willis Thomas: Thomas’ artwork explores themes related to perspective, identity, commodity, media, and popular culture to spotlight contemporary social issues. One of his most notable pieces, ALL LI ES MATTER, received international attention after it was featured on the cover of New York magazine’s 50th anniversary art project issue, and as one of 52 billboards presented by For Freedoms in every U.S. state, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, in the leadup to the 2018 Midterm Elections. 

The artist has created a special signed and numbered limited edition print of this potent work to offer this October. Four-hundred editions, hand signed by the artist, will be available to eBay’s millions of buyers for $375. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Public Art Fund, which provides democratic access to contemporary art by today’s most important artists, expanding the impact of contemporary art in New York City and beyond.

“I see visual culture as the frontline in the battle to make all lives matter, in the truest sense. Some of my works are more overt, others more opaque. But the narrative always leads back to my desire to upset entrenched narratives about what it means to belong,” said Hank Willis Thomas.

October 28, Carlos Rolón: Rolón is known for art that uses a wide range of media to explore themes of ritual, beauty, culture, aspiration and identity. Channeling childhood memories, his work demonstrates the evolution of American middle-class lifestyles and social barriers in excessive and melancholic ways. 

Rolón has created a new edition titled Gild the Lily (Caribbean Azulejo). This new work continues the exploration of displacement, diaspora, colonization, and change. Juxtaposed images of Caribbean flora and historical Azulejo tile work (which stems from Arabic roots), craft making and cultivation serve as a metaphor for beauty, class, race, and landscape. The piece presents a visual hybrid language about history, culture and architecture.

Enthusiasts can find this unique 18” x 24”, 8 Color, Hand-Pulled Screen Print with spot UV-gloss Varnish on eBay in a limited edition of 200 at $400. One-hundred percent of proceeds benefit Project Backboard, an initiative to restore a basketball court and community center in Puerto Rico damaged by Hurricane Maria, with the goal of creating a place for community and activity.

Each sale will run for a month, and all purchases include free domestic shipping. 

Shoppers and art enthusiasts can visit www.ebay.com/artober to learn more about eBay’s latest #Artober drops, or follow eBay at @eBay on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.