During the recent Covid-19 lockdown period, as part of its commitment to philanthropy, the Fondation CHU Teh-Chun teamed up with artists, gallery owners, art collectors and luxury brands to raise funds by donating artworks by CHU to three charity auctions.

The first was organised by the PIASA auction house in aid of #ProtegeTonSoignant supporting France’s healthcare workers, from 3 – 5 April, 2020.

With 370 lots assembled in just 48 hours, the result was beyond all expectations – 851 bidders and buyers took part and raised €2,417,400 (US$2,719, 185), all of which was donated to #ProtegeTonSoignant.

The Fondation contributed a lithograph by CHU entitled Elegance, 2008 (50 x 65 cm), which raised €4,000 (US$4,950).

The second online auction was arranged by the Tajan auction house from April 21 -27, 2020, benefitting care and nursing homes through SOS EHPAD, a non-profit initiative launched by the Alzheimers Research Foundation.

Celebrated fashion journalist Laurence Benaïm spearheaded the event, with artists, fashion houses and luxury brands donating over 200 lots ranging from works of art to stays in luxury hotels – and with some lots starting at just €200 (US$225), there was something for every budget. A total of €255,000 (US$287,000) was raised to support the work of care homes throughout France.

A second lithograph by CHU, Untitled, 2000 (98 cm x 70cm), was donated by the Fondation, which sold for €4,400 (US$4,985).

The third auction was held in Hong Kong by Sotheby’s on 8 July, 2020 (postponed from April 2020) to benefit the Han Hong Love Charity Foundation.

On behalf of the Fondation Chu Teh-Chun and in collaboration with the Galerie Nelombos, Madame Ching-Chao Chu donated a calligraphic work by the artist, entitled La Lune,1998 (40 cm x 122 cm), ink on paper, signed in Chinese and stamped with the artist’s stamps.

Chu Teh-Chun was well-versed in Chinese poetry, especially from the Tang and Song dynasties, and he liked to calligraph poems to express his cultural and emotional attachment to his Chinese roots. This calligraphic work by Chu is based on the poem La Lune by Su Dongpo, an important literary figure in Chinese history. The work raised HK$4,735,000 (US$610,000).