‘Art J. Williams, Jr.’ Rolls-Royce Wraith Sells For Almost $1 Million At Charity Auction In Chicago

By Adrienne Faurote October 3, 2018

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Gold Coast—part of the Perillo Auto Group—hosted a fundraising event at a gala reception in the Perillo downtown Chicago showroom, celebrating the local youth. As part of the evening, a one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Wraith, designed by world-renowned artist Arthur J. William Jr. was auctioned off for almost $800,000, making up for a substantial portion of the over $1.5 million raised for three local charities.

“The commission of every Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a work of art and tonight we celebrated the intersection of two commissions in one piece: A Rolls-Royce Wraith and a magnificent work of art by Art J. Williams, Jr.,” began Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Gold Coast owner Joe Perillo. “Art created this special work on a wrapped Wraith as part of our efforts to raise money for local charities. This was a great way to celebrate his success, the success of Perillo Motor Cars and the growing success of the Rolls-Royce Family with Cullinan.”

Funds raised from the charity event went toward three local charities, all of which Mr. Perillo has been a long time benefactor. They are Common Ground Foundation, After School All Stars and Replace Guns with Hammers. “I grew up in Chicago and a lot of people helped me become the successful person I am today. I want to help this community and give back as long as I’m alive,” he noted.

Wrapped with a white covering allowing Mr. Williams to create his work of art, the 2018 Rolls-Royce Wraith was uniquely eye-catching and certainly one-of-a-kind. It tells the story of the artists journey in life, both on a personal level and as an artist. Some of the elements included were The Scaleto Justice—Laws of the Universe, symbolizing Art’s constant relationship with both the legal and justice systems—The Handcuffs—A Life of Crime, symbolizing “leading a criminal lifestyle and being physically bound and confined by his life choices”—The Gas Mask—Toxic Past, symbolizing “the apparatus used while Art painted, which also symbolizes a physical buffer from the toxic fumes from the paint, the money and the toxicity in his life; mixing the two made money but dirty ‘unclean’ money”—and The Bright Future—The Spirit Ecstasy, “the iconic logo for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and one of the most recognizable emblems for luxury and excellence in the world.”