A Perry big night for art friends

ARTISTS GRAYSON Perry and Yinka Shonebare, designer Thomas Heatherwick and Tate director Maria Balshaw were among more than 500 guests at a West End dinner and gala auction in support of the British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (Bfami).

Installation artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien was guest of honour. He recalled that the Israel Museum in Jerusalem was the first to acquire one of his works.

He donated a high definition video work, to the auction. It sold for £130,000, well in excess of the estimated price.

The dinner also included a tribute to Wendy Fisher, who has been involved with the charity for almost 20 years, serving as chair for eight of them.

She was praised by current cochairs Poju Zabludowicz and Pamela Crystal for creating “a vibrant community of supporters who share their love of art and of Israel”.

The dinner, auction and associated events — including a party for Young Friends of the Art Museums of Israel — raised in the region of £750,000 for educational projects.