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 2012 Vendu–Sold auction was presided by the honorary chairs Michel Dallaire, industrial designer; Louise Déry, director of Galerie de l'UQAM; Jacques Des Rochers, curator of Quebec and Canadian art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; Denis Gagnon, fashion designer; and Margot Ross, art consultant. This edition was conducted by our auctioneer Pierre Therrien accompagnied by Jennifer Alleyn, and offered 44 artworks of exceptional quality chosen by a selection committee comprising the curator of the Hydro-Québec collection, Anne-Claude Bacon; the director of the Senvest collection, Nadine Faraj; the art consultant, Matthieu Gauvin; the independent curator and art historian, Geneviève Goyer-Ouimette; and the director of Éditions Esse, Sylvette Babin.