Basquiat to Bardot - A private collection

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Basquiat, the pioneering prodigy of the 1980s downtown New York art scene, became the most expensive artist at auction of any US artist, fetching $110.5m (£85m) in New York in May. This elevated Basquiat to the realms of the greats and he is now the most highly collected artist. Mentored by Andy Warhol, Basquiat’s work flourished in the 1980s, before his untimely death in 1988.

Basquiat has been described as “the most collected artist of sportsmen, actors, musicians and entrepreneurs”. Collectors include; Jay-Z, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Debbie Harry.

The genius graffiti artist-turned-expressionist was fascinated by anatomy from a young age, heads and skulls became recurring images in Basquiat’s work in the early 1980’s. The artist’s estate rarely releases limited edition prints and the exhibition showcases this set of numbered matching prints from a private collection –which are vibrant, powerful and iconic.

According to Coutts Bank’s latest index of 'passion assets’, photography is the hottest new investment area among collectables. This exhibition also has a selection of highly collectible photographs by Terry O’Neill and Douglas Kirkland and unique works from O’Neills recent highly successful collaboration with Simon Claridge. A selection of the silver gelatine prints are signed by both Terry O’Neill and Brigitte Bardot from her films “The Legend of Frenchie King” and “Shalako”. These are exhibited alongside other works, also signed and include the late Roger Moore, Faye Dunaway and Raquel Welsh.  

In his latest collection of limited edition diamond dust silkscreen prints, Claridge has worked with O’Neill on a number of his most iconic images. O’Neill's photographs have never been transferred onto silkscreen before and with Claridge’s signature diamond dust treatment the series pays a powerful homage to one of our generation’s most celebrated icons. 

Work by Gerhard Richter, the highest grossing living artist of recent years, is also on show alongside a relative newcomer, Anthony H Haylock, whose star is set to rise. Haycock’s amusing tongue-in-cheek social commentary is painted masterfully, his commercial design roots influencing his works themes in a style reminiscent of Warhol.