Art car sells for $500,000


Singer Elton John comissioned UK artist Damien Hirst to create a piece of art history for his AIDS Foundation charity.

Damien Hirst Audi A1

Damien Hirst's £350,000 Audi A1 Image: Audi

The result was an Audi A1 - yet to be released in the UK - with a difference.  Hirst used his paint 'spin' techniques to create the stunning art car in time for Sir Elton's annual White Tie and Tiara ball.

Almost 700 of the world's glitterati attended the Ball at John's home in Windsor near London.  The car itself was auction and raised an incredible £350,000 ($528,000) for the charity, which handles more than £14m ($21m) worth of AIDS programmes globally.

Hirst is most famous for his controversial animal art which has included a shark, cow and sheep placed in tanks of formaldehyde and which has sold for millions of dollars each.