The Williams sisters put up paintings by an American artist for a charity auction

American tennis players Venus and Serena Williams and their sister Isha Price put up for auction four works by American artist Ernie Barnes, according to artnews.com.

We are talking about the paintings “The Execution of Justice” in 1986 and “Mentors” (2008), as well as the drawings “Saxophone Study No. 1” (1993) and “Study from Brother to Brother” (1994). The artworks will be available until August 1 at the Joopiter auction house founded by musician Pharrell Williams. The preliminary estimate of “Mentors” – from 120 to 180 thousand dollars, “Doing justice” – from 80 to 120 thousand.

Previously, the paintings were not known to the general public. The Williams sisters bought them a few years ago and became partners in the auction. Proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go to a public organization they founded in honor of Yetunde’s sister, who died from a bullet wound in 2003.

“Ernie Barnes is an iconic black artist that my family and I have long admired. With the help of his vivid images, he presented a colorful world of harmony between representatives of all communities and races. These works by Ernie Barnes will help fund and provide life-saving resources to those affected by the violence in Compton and low-income people across the country,” said Serena Williams.