The 'Anti-Basketball' Chandelier That Set David Hammons' Auction Record

David Hammons' Untitled (2000) sold for $8.01m at Phillips New York on November 11, 2013. The unique work, from a series of three, is constructed from crystal, brass, frosted glass, light fixtures, hardware and steel.

The baroque chandelier in the shape of a basketball back and hoop, is a spectacular twist to Hammons' late 1980s series, "Higher Goals", which he described as "anti-basketball" sculptures.

In a rare interview, the enigmatic artist said: "Basketball has become a problem in the black community because kids aren’t getting an education. They’re pawns in someone else’s game. That’s why it’s called Higher Goals. It means you should have higher goals in life than basketball.”

Major collectors of Hammons' work include François Pinault. Another version of the chandelier is in the Pinault Collection, which has been shown in its Venice and Paris spaces.

The sale beat Hammons' previous auction record by $5.74m, a 250% rise. His previous record was set by Untitled (1996), which sold for $2.27m at Sotheby's on November 9, 2011. The work had been traded once before.

A Brief History of David Hammons at Auction