LONDON, July 15 (UPI) -- Celebrity art collectors, who have been criticized for out-bidding museums, are beginning to give back, The (London) Independent reported.
The rich and famous, who have piles of money -- and some would say poor taste -- have been accused of being like the Medicis, the powerful Renaissance-era Italian family who dominated the art world of their day.
But critics may be silenced by the growing number of public exhibitions launched by private collectors.
Pop singer George Michael and his partner, Kenny Goss -- who own $200 million worth of art -- have launched a public exhibition of works by their favorite artist, Tracey Emin, in Dallas, the Independent said Sunday.
Meanwhile, pop icon Elton John and his partner, David Furnish -- who own what many consider to be the greatest collection of 20th century photography -- are participating in a public exhibition of their 100-photograph Thanksgiving installation by Nan Goldin, the newspaper said.
Still, some art aficionados say the celebrities do more harm than good by skewing the market for fine art.
