LONDON—Phillips Auction House is set to host its flagship Modern & Contemporary Art auctions in London, coinciding with the prestigious Frieze London art fair. The sales, featuring a curated selection of works from established masters and rising stars, will take place over two days: the Evening Sale on October 16 and the Day Sale on October 18, 2025. These auctions aim to highlight the generational intersection and dynamic boundary-crossing within modern and contemporary art, encompassing themes of fashion, popular culture, and artistic heritage.

Evening Sale Highlights: Basquiat and Pop Icons 

The Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on October 16 will be spearheaded by two pivotal works by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The top lot is Basquiat’s 1982 drawing, Untitled (Pestus), an energetic work on paper that showcases the artist’s early vigor. Characterized by his signature crown motif and sharp, overlaid text, the piece delivers a potent social commentary. It carries a substantial estimate of £2,000,000–3,000,000 (approximately $2.69 million–$4.04 million or KRW 3.8 billion–5.7 billion), reflecting its importance from his most sought-after year.

The sale also features a rare Basquiat canvas, an untitled work from 1985 depicting a female nude. This transitional piece, which blends ancient art elements with personal symbolism, is estimated at £1,200,000–1,800,000 (approximately KRW 2.3 billion–3.4 billion).

The intersection of art and fashion is another key theme, highlighted by Andy Warhol's 1981 portrait, Giorgio Armani. Created using the rare technique of diamond dust on canvas, the piece captures the glamour and high-fashion aesthetic of the 1980s. Its estimate is set at £600,000–800,000 (approximately KRW 1.1 billion–1.5 billion). Additionally, Banksy’s rare 2005 screenprint edition, Kate Moss—one of only five in existence—will be offered, reinterpreting the model as a new icon of the Pop artist’s era.

Focus on Young Contemporary Voices 

A dedicated section of the Evening Sale, ‘Young Contemporary Voices,’ underscores Phillips’ commitment to the future of the art market.

Flora Yukhnovich’s My Body knows Un-Heard of Songs, which fuses Rococo aesthetics with contemporary abstraction, holds a high estimate of £900,000–1,500,000 (approximately KRW 1.7 billion–2.9 billion), indicating strong market appetite for the rising artist.
Jadé Fadojutimi's vibrantly colored work, The Ties of Greed, will be offered with an estimate of £300,000–500,000 (approximately KRW 570 million–950 million).
Drive Through, by Sasha Gordon—the youngest artist represented by David Zwirner Gallery—will showcase her meticulous painting technique, estimated at £80,000–120,000 (approximately KRW 150 million–230 million).
 

Day Sale: A Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art 

The Day Sale on October 18 will present 111 lots, offering a broad spectrum of modern and contemporary works. The sale is anchored by blue-chip artists such as Anselm Kiefer and Yoshitomo Nara—whose 1995 acrylic on paper, Cold Side, is estimated at £100,000–150,000 (approximately KRW 190 million–280 million)—alongside works by Keith Haring (a bronze panel), Warhol, and Basquiat.

In line with the auction house’s strategy to bridge the legacy of established figures with emerging talent, the Day Sale will also feature pieces by younger artists like Louis Fratino and Poppy Jones, solidifying Phillips' position in charting the market's dynamic evolution and future value.

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