Tom Phillips

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

The canvas is in good original condition. There are some tiny spots of craquelure along the very edges of the paint surface. Traces of dirt are visible across the paint surface. There is no sign of retouching under ultra-violet light. Held in a rectilinear metal frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tom Phillips was born in London in 1937. He complimented his English degree at St Catherine's College, Oxford with drawing classes at the Ruskin School and in 1961 attended Camberwell School of Art. After graduating from Camberwell, Phillips taught at Bath Academy of Art and Wolverhampton Art College between 1965-72. His first one-man exhibition was at the Artists International Association Gallery in London in 1965. Phillips was elected Royal Academician in 1989.

The present work was painted at the end of the 1960s, when Phillips began to produce paintings and works on paper which consisted entirely of words. The painting is made up of the words Here We Exemplify which are repeated and layered so that they cancel each other out. The strength of Phillips' work from this time was recognised when he won the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Prize in 1969.

The present work is described on the artist's website: http://www.tomphillips.co.uk/sculptur/wirescul/index.html