Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If you had your portrait taken by Rankin, would you turn round and destroy it? Didn't think so. And yet, that's exactly what 73 musicians have done for Destroy Rankin, part of the 10th anniversary celebrations for Youth Music Charity. Alex James has given an old Dazed & Confused cover a lavender and thyme hairdo and beard; Alanis Morissette has burned a hole in hers, and Alex Zane has used his medical-school training to turn half his face into a colourful skin and bones zombie.
The images, which will be exhibited at Phillips de Pury in London from 9-21 November alongside the originals, are being auctioned on eBay, except the 25 most exclusive (including an oil portrait of the late Joe Strummer by Damien Hirst), which are being sold at a live auction on 14 November. Clearly those involved relished the chance to get creative: Debbie Harry has stitched her image together, U2 have given themselves strange blue halos and Kylie Minogue has dripped nail varnish on herself.
"There's a weird part of my sense of humour that likes the idea of destroying my own work," explains Rankin. "It's an interesting assessment of personal identity".
The eBay auction opens at 8pm on 11 November and runs until 21 November; www.youthmusic.org.uk/rankin
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments