Vendu–Sold is an annual contemporary art benefit auction created to ensure that Les éditions Esse, a not-for-profit organization, can continue to successfully promote and disseminate contemporary art and artists on the Canadian and international scenes. Advised by a committee of experts, the auction offers collectors and art lovers the opportunity to acquire high-quality artworks by renowned and emerging Canadian artists while contributing to the development of Éditions Esse. Part of the proceeds also goes to the participating artists.
The 2010 Vendu–Sold auction was presided by the honorary chairs Jennifer Alleyn, filmmaker; Stéphane Aquin, curator at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; Marie Fraser, chief curator at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal; Bernard Landriault, collector; Paul Maréchal, curator of the Power Corporation collection; and François Rochon, Giverny Capital president. This edition was conducted by our auctioneer Winston McQuade and offered 36 artworks of exceptional quality chosen by a selection committee comprising the director of the 20th Century Design Department at Iegor, Silvia Casa; the art historian and critic at Le Devoir, Marie-Ève Charron; the marketing consultant at Battat Contemporary, Julie Dessureault; the curator of the National Bank of Canada collection, Jo-Ann Kane; and the director of Éditions Esse, Sylvette Babin.