Legendary artist Kate Bush has joined forces with 52 contemporary artists for an unprecedented charity auction benefiting War Child, an organization dedicated to protecting children affected by conflict.
Kate Bush unites with dozens of artists in groundbreaking charity auction to safeguard children in conflict zones.
The initiative, titled “War Child Presents Sound & Vision: Running Up That Hill,” invites each participating artist to create a visual interpretation of a single lyric from Bush’s iconic 1985 hit.
The lyric, personally selected by Bush herself, is the evocative line “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God” from her anthem “Running Up That Hill.” This phrase serves as the creative springboard for all 52 artists involved in the project, including renowned figures such as Maggi Hambling CBE, Peter Doig, and Shezad Dawood, who have each translated the words into their own unique visual language.
Set to launch on October 28, 2025, at 3pm GMT (11am EST), the online auction represents a significant collaboration between the music icon, the visual art world, and humanitarian efforts.
Unlike typical music-related charity projects, Sound & Vision 2025 focuses entirely on visual interpretations rather than musical performances or recordings.
The impressive roster of participating artists spans diverse backgrounds and styles, featuring talents like Adam Dix, Boo Saville, Gideon Rubin, and Orlanda Bloom, among many others. Each artist’s contribution becomes both a collectible artwork and a vehicle for positive change in the lives of war-affected children.
War Child, in partnership with Art on a Postcard, has organized this ambitious project as part of its ongoing mission to provide safety, education, and support to children in conflict zones worldwide. The team plans to leverage social media advertising to maximize audience reach and drive participation in the auction. Visitors to the auction site will be able to view a comprehensive catalogue of artworks before placing their bids. This initiative continues the humanitarian legacy started in 1994 with the groundbreaking exhibition Little Pieces from Big Stars curated by David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Anthea Norman-Taylor.
All proceeds from the auction will directly fund the organization’s essential humanitarian work.
The initiative cleverly leverages Kate Bush’s enduring cultural influence to attract both serious art collectors and casual fans alike, creating a compelling intersection of artistic expression and humanitarian aid.
This auction represents an innovative way for musicians to generate sync licensing revenue while simultaneously supporting humanitarian causes.
Bidders from around the world will have the opportunity to acquire unique artworks while simultaneously contributing to War Child’s efforts to give children in war zones a safer future.
