London Sale on 19 April to Showcase Contemporary Artists Including Invader, Eddie Martinez, Francis Alÿs, and Tracey Emin, Alongside Emerging Talents Leonard Baby, Alfie Caine, and Xie Lei

LONDON – 9 APRIL 2024 – Phillips is pleased to present highlights of the upcoming New Now auction in London on 19 April. Featuring over 150 lots, the sale includes works by established artists such as Invader, Eddie Martinez, Francis Alÿs, Tracey Emin, Gilbert & George, and Miriam Cahn. Additionally, it presents contemporary works by emerging talents including Leonard Baby, Alfie Caine, Xie Lei, Wynnie Mynerva, and auction newcomer Jack Jubb. Further highlights include a selection of sculptures by Maurizio Cattelan, Sterling Ruby, Alicja Kwade, and Elmgreen and Dragset, as well as works by Françoise Gilot, Alighiero Boetti, and Salvo. Prior to the auction, the exhibition at 30 Berkeley Square will be open to the public from 11 to 18 April.

Charlotte Gibbs, Head of New Now, London, said, “We are thrilled to present London's first New Now sale of 2024, which showcases a dynamic fusion of 20th Century and Contemporary works appealing to both new and seasoned collectors. From our front run of cutting-edge artworks by emerging talents such as Alfie Caine and Leonard Baby to sculptural works by Elmgreen and Dragset and Maurizio Cattelan, our auction encapsulates the spirit of New Now and celebrates the vibrant diversity of the middle market. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our London galleries this April to see this exceptional selection of works.”

Emerging in the late 1990s, Invader, the anonymous French street artist, is renowned for his pixelated mosaic designs, drawing inspiration from retro video games and iconic figures of pop culture. In the present work, Bruce Lee 3D, Invader captures the martial artist in his trademark pixelated style, melding Bruce Lee's iconic pose with nostalgic 80s video game aesthetics. What sets Invader's urban art apart is its integration of local craftsmanship and culture. Each piece becomes a conduit for communication and exploration, reflecting the unique essence of its surroundings. Invader currently has 3,960 murals in situ across 79 cities and 6 continents worldwide and envisions his work as an ongoing project reshaping the future of art.

A highlight of the sale is Eddie Martinez’s Open Ocean Mind, from 2020. Martinez orchestrates a symphony of colour, sound, and form, infusing his composition with rhythm. By employing a diverse range of techniques from spray paint to meticulous line work, the artist seamlessly blends surrealism with fantasy, crafting a mesmerising visual experience that has earned him global recognition. Martinez’s work is held by international institutions including the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, and ICA, Miami. Martinez will represent San Marino at the 2024 Venice Biennale opening later this month.

In Francis Alÿs’ Untitled, 1995, a suited man is shown at the breakfast table engaged in an elegant balancing act between his body, the utensils and the meal before him. Each element creates a delicate tension, such as the finger's touch saving a falling bread slice. Against a dreamlike lime green backdrop, Alÿs crafts a meditative moment, inviting reflection on the mundane and unveiling the beauty of the everyday through meticulous detail. The celebrated artist has been awarded numerous accolades including the Wolfgang Hahn Prize (2023), among others. Alÿs has also been the subject of major solo exhibitions at world renowned institutions including Wiels, Brussels, MUAC, Mexico City, and The Belgian Pavilion, Venice Biennale (2022). Later this year Barbican Art Gallery will host a solo exhibition dedicated to the artist, from 27 June to 1 September 2024.