David Hockney’s Pacific Ocean Study Headlines Phillips London Auction

Painted shortly after Hockney settled in Malibu, the work reflects a period of heightened creative ambition. The composition bridges his earlier observations of water with his theatrical stage design commissions of the early 1990s. By flattening perspective and utilizing luminous, rhythmic mark-making, Hockney distills the ocean into a series of essential, fluid contours. This approach directly anticipates the stylistic breakthroughs of his Very New Paintings series, which followed just one year later.

Olivia Thornton, Deputy Chairwoman for Modern & Contemporary Art in Europe, positions the June 26 auction as a continuation of the market momentum established during the firm’s recent New York sales. The event at the Berkeley Square galleries highlights a cross-generational selection of artists, aiming to capitalize on sustained collector interest in Post-War and contemporary avant-garde works. The auction begins at 2pm BST, with the preview currently open to the public.