Warhol, Calder works in African charity art auction

The second Art for Africa auction, which will be held on November 17 in New York, will benefit the Africa Foundation, which supports children in south and eastern Africa's poorest rural communities.

In addition to Calder and Warhol, whose work has commanded high prices during the past decade, U.S. artists include Peter Beard, Alex Katz, Nick Cave, Ross Bleckner, Matt Magee and Jeff Sonhouse.

Works by African artists such Mary Sibande, Sue Williamson, Dylan Lewis, Peterson Kamwathi, Beezy Bailey, Creative Block, Mikhael Subotzky and others will also be auctioned.

The first Art for Africa auction, held in London in 2009, raised $750,000.

"The first highly successful sale in London saw enormous enthusiasm from collectors for works by some of the rising stars of African and international contemporary art," said Scott Nussbaum, contemporary art specialist at Sotheby's.

"We once again look forward to presenting the work of cutting-edge African artists alongside some of the major names in American Contemporary art to raise money for this wonderful charity," he added in a statement.

Frederick Waddell, the chairman and CEO of Chicago-based international financial services company Northern Trust which is co-sponsoring the event, said its philanthropic mission aims to better the lives of people in need.

Works that will be sold in the auction will be exhibited at Sotheby's New York from November 12 to 17.