Four digital artworks inspired by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury are set to be auctioned for charity in celebration of what would have been the legendary singer’s 75th birthday.
The NFT collection features three digital works depicting Mercury, while the fourth presents a surreal scene centered on a white grand piano. The piano is topped with a crown on its stool and surrounded by a pond filled with swimming goldfish.
The artworks were created by digital artists Blake Kathryn, Chad Knight, Mat Maitland and MBSJQ. They will be offered through a timed auction on the digital art marketplace SuperRare, beginning September 20 and running for 75 hours.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the AIDS charity established in Mercury’s memory by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, along with the band’s manager Jim Beach.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are blockchain-based digital ownership records that can be linked to assets such as artwork, images and videos. The market for NFTs has attracted significant interest, although critics have also raised concerns about speculation and the possibility of a market bubble.
In a joint statement, SuperRare and the Mercury Phoenix Trust said Mercury had left behind a clear creative philosophy, quoting his message: “You can do whatever you want with my work, just never make me boring.”
The auction combines Mercury’s enduring artistic legacy with digital art while supporting the charitable cause established in his name.
