Johnny Depp is auctioning off his impressive multimillion dollar Jean-Michel Basquiat collection at Christie’s in London later this month, a press release from the auction house revealed on Thursday, June 9.
According to Christie’s, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, 53, is auctioning off nine pieces by the famous 20th century artist. Most of the paintings and drawings are from the early 1980s.
“Nothing can replace the warmth and immediacy of Basquiat’s poetry, or the absolute questions and truths that he delivered,” Depp says of the artist’s work in the press release. “The beautiful and disturbing music of his paintings, the cacophony of his silence that attacks our senses, will live far beyond our breath.”
Depp is said to have collected the pieces over the past 25 years and has been in talks with Christie’s about the sale since the beginning of the year.
The auction comes amid the Alice Through the Looking Glass actor’s nasty legal battle with his estranged wife, Amber Heard. After filing for divorce from Depp on May 23 after 15 months of marriage, the Magic Mike XXL actress, 30, was granted a restraining order after she claimed that Depp physically abused her during their relationship.
Depp’s lawyer has since denied the allegations and argued that Heard is simply trying to gain financial security. (The actor is worth an estimated $400 million.)
The estranged couple are due in court on June 17 for a hearing about the restraining order.
