David Hockney's Rare Artwork to Lead Phillips Auction in London Amidst Rising Demand

Upcoming Auction Featuring David Hockney's Iconic Work

Phillips will present a stunning highlight at its evening and afternoon auction for modern and contemporary art on June 26 in London. The star of the show is David Hockney's notable painting The Only One with Waves (1991), which comes at a time when the demand for his work continues to rise.

Significance of The Only One with Waves

This significant piece was painted shortly after Hockney purchased his home in Malibu and reflects his deep engagement with the Southern California coastal scenery, alongside his ongoing fascination with water as both a subject and sensory experience. In contrast to the serene stillness of his famed pool paintings, Hockney captures the dynamic motions of the Pacific Ocean in this work, describing it as “the immediate motion of the water itself... endlessly changing, endlessly fascinating.”

The artwork is characterized by a flattened perspective, vibrant colors, and rhythmic brush strokes that create a composition that is both immediate and captivating for viewers.

Hockney created this piece during a time of heightened creative ambitions, echoing his parallel role as a set designer in the early 1990s, which included key opera commissions. His understanding of space as constructed—layered, theatrical, and fluid—directly corresponds to the sinuous contours and shortened forms of the waves depicted.

By reducing the landscape to its essential elements, Hockney strikes a balance between observation and invention, foreshadowing the groundbreaking works of the upcoming Very New Paintings series that would follow.

Evolution of Hockney's Water Theme

This painting marks a new chapter in Hockney's exploration of water. From the delicate surfaces seen in A Bigger Splash (1967) to the more gestural style that characterizes The Only One with Waves, the artist demonstrates his ability to translate movement and light into a visual language of remarkable clarity and energy.

Olivia Thornton, Vice Chairman of Modern and Contemporary Art in Europe, stated, “June in London is a key moment in the international art calendar, and we are very excited to build on the strong momentum from our 'White Glove' evening auction in New York last month. Following this success, we are honored to showcase important names from the post-war avant-garde to leading contemporary artists today. We look forward to welcoming our clients to an auction that reflects the diversity, dynamism, and international nature of today’s market.”

The auction will feature artists from various generations and highlight Hockney's work at a time when both criticism and market interest are at their peak. Previews will be held at Phillips' galleries on Berkeley Square leading up to the auction, which will commence on June 26 at 2:00 PM BST.

For art enthusiasts and collectors, this auction promises to be a significant event, spotlighting both the iconic past and the vibrant present of contemporary art.