Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors
Medium: Monumental photographic drawing in colors, on four sheets of wove paper, mounted on Dibond
Year: 2018
Sheet: 71 1/2 x 42 1/2 inches (181.6 x 108 cm)
Edition: 25
Publisher: the Artist
Signed, dated and numbered in black ink
The monumental photographic drawing, Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors, depicts a white cube exhibition space in which three enormous mirrors hang on the walls reflecting a formation of standing and seated figures encircling a ‘ready-made’ sculpture.
The assemblage is comprised of variously sized, metal carts stacked upon one another with a skull placed at the pinnacle. Hockney used advanced camera technology to meticulously photograph each person and object from every angle and perspective so that he could digitally alter and stitch the images together to create a fictional scene. The audience consists of friends and colleagues, many of whom make repeat appearances in his other works, but at slightly altered angles, thus emphasizing the impressive capability of the camera.
The presence and angles of the mirrors when paired with the composition of the scene presents the idea of viewers as participants. We observe the seven figures, observing themselves, observing the sculpture and as a result, we join them as active participants when we inhabit the position of observing the work as a whole.
Auction Results
Christie’s online: 26 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 63,000 / USD 79,884
DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors, 2018
Photographic drawing in colors on wove paper mounted on Dibond (as issued)
Signed, dated and numbered 9/25 in black ink
In the artist’s frame
Seoul Auction: 23 August 2022
Estimated: KRW 150,000,000 – 180,000,000
KRW 170,000,000 (Hammer)
KRW 200,600,000 / USD 149,290
DAVID HOCKNEY
Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors, 2018
Photographic drawing in colors, on four sheets of wove paper, mounted on Dibond
Signed, dated and numbered 18/25
Phillips New-York: 21 April 2022
Estimated: USD 80,000 – 120,000
USD 157,500
DAVID HOCKNEY
Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors, 2018
Monumental photographic drawing in colors, on four sheets of wove paper, mounted on Dibond
Signed, dated and numbered 25/25 in black ink
Seoul Auction: 24 August 2021
Estimated: KRW 80,000,000 – 150,000,000
KRW 115,000,000 (Hammer)
KRW 132,250,000 / USD 113,605
DAVID HOCKNEY
Viewers Looking at a Ready-made with Skull and Mirrors, 2018
Photographic drawing printed on paper mounted on Dibond
Signed, dated and numbered 13/25