Actress and activist Jane Fonda joined hands with Gagosian and Christie’s to raise funds against California’s oil drilling referendum.
In November 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed bill SB1137 into law. The bill prevented new wells from drilling within 3,200 feet of residential areas like schools, playgrounds, hospitals, community centers, etc. It also mandated existing oil wells within the prescribed radius to meet certain safety and health guidelines. Soon after the bill was passed, a group called Stop The Energy Shutdown called for the repeal of the law on the grounds that it would obstruct adequate resources from reaching people. After collecting signatures from locals in early 2023, the group managed to get a referendum date for November 2024. If successful, the repealed law would negatively impact some 2.7 million people living within the said radius of oil wells.
In response, the “Art for a Safe and Healthy California” was envisioned. The benefit, located in Beverly Hills, will open on April 9. Art dealer Larry Gagosian and philanthropist Aileen Getty will host the charity event. Susie and Mark Buell, mega-donors of the Democratic Party, would also co-host.
The benefit would feature donated works from a plethora of artists. These include Ed Ruscha, Olafur Eliasson, Nan Goldin, Joey Terrill, and many others. Apart from the exhibition at Beverly Hills (which would go on all summer), patrons could also buy works from a single-day sale at Christie’s in May.
Jane Fonda is one of the prominent names attached to the event. Speaking of her, Larry Gagosian said: “It’s an honor to partner with [Jane] on this crucial issue impacting my home state of California. It’s a must-win in November, and I am incredibly grateful to the generous artists who are helping us ensure a safe and healthy California for generations to come.”
