U2 frontman and all-around humanitarian Bono teamed up with British artist Damien Hirst to raise $42 million US at a charity art auction in Manhattan on Thursday.

The event’s proceeds will go toward supporting the UN’s relief programs against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Dubbed the (Red) Auction after Bono’s fundraising effort to fight AIDS in Africa, the contemporary art sale was organized by auction house Sotheby’s and Manhattan’s Gagosian Gallery. It featured 83 works by artists include Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Banksy, Tracey Emin, Willem De Kooning and Julian Schnabel.

Hirst’s “Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way” was the top item, selling for $7.15 million US. The work, one of his famous pill cabinet installations, was filled with medication used to treat HIV.

Bono called the night “historic” and said of the artists, “They’re my heroes tonight.”

He also led the crowd in an a cappella rendition of “All You Need Is Love.”

The auction drew a number of famous faces, including actor and modern art collector Dennis Hopper, Jordan’s Queen Noor, publishing guru Martha Stewart, hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, model Christy Turlington and former tennis pro John McEnroe.






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