Damien Hirst uses Harley-Davidson as a canvas

The world’s most expensive living artist Damien Hirst has revealed an unusual canvas for his creative talent.

Hirst’s ‘Spin Harley’ is a fully functioning Harley-Davidson Softail Cross Bones, which will be up for auction on April 23. The bidding starts at £25,000.

• Read the Harley-Davidson Cross Bones review 

Using multiple vibrant hues, Hirst applied his spin-painting technique – which employs centrifugal force as paint is poured – to individual parts of the old-school style Cross Bones.  

Expected to fetch over £100,000

Given Hirst’s reputation, this one-of-a-kind bike could soon become one of the world’s most expensive motorcycles. At a Sotheby’s auction in September 2008, Damien Hirst sold a number of his works, raising a record breaking amount of £114 million. As this work is unprecedented, bids are expected to sail beyond £100,000.

Charity auction

The motorcycle, along with two Hirst customised helmets donated by Harley-Davidson, will be auctioned off at the contemporary art auction, Angel Art, at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles on April 23rd.

Proceeds will be donated to the charity Project Angel Food which provides meals to people homebound or disabled by HIV / AIDS, Cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses, and it counts major Hollywood stars in its committee such as Naomi Watts, Salma Hayek and Tobey Maguire.

Unparalleled interest

Margaret Steele, Project Angel Food CEO said “If the initial interest is anything to go by, the bidding for this unique bike could be very exciting. Damien and Harley-Davidson have kindly collaborated to produce this stunning work and we hope to raise as much money as possible for our life-saving meals.”

“Damien follows other Harley-Davidson owners who are all passionate about customising their bikes in their own unique way to create personal works of art” said Matt Knott, of Harley-Davidson Europe.

The motorcycle will be auctioned among other donated works by renowned artists. To view Angel Art lots, visit www.angelartauction.com. To bid by Absentee or Phone-in during the auction, call 323 436 5059 to set-up.