NEW YORK – 8 AUGUST 2023 – Phillips is pleased to announceDropshop,a digital platform offering limitededition releases of primary market art and objects in partnership with the artists, collaborators, and brands definingcontemporary culture. Dropshop is the first and only platform in the international auction sphere that partners withworking artists, making their work available for immediate purchase, disrupting the traditional, long-held dynamicsbetween the primary and secondary markets. Phillips will collaborate with partners on every step, from conceptionand curation through to fabrication and promotion. Items are available for a limited time through a “buy now”ecommerce model at www.phillips.com/dropshop. Offerings are exclusive to Phillips’ Dropshop; once they’re gone,they’re gone.
 

As the only global house focused on 20th Century and Contemporary art, design and luxury items, Dropshop willrevolutionize the experience of collecting in real time. Dropshop is poised to modernize the collecting experience inthe spirit of Phillips’ ongoing commitment to modeling market change, continued digital innovation and creativeincubation.

Regularly scheduled ‘drops’ act as a dedicated digital space forartists to directly engage with audiences and collectors around theworld in a way that is distinct to Phillips.Further demonstratingPhillips’ commitment to artists working today, works purchased inDropshop and subsequently resold in a Phillips auction or exhibitionwill earn the artist a resale royalty commission, enabling creators toparticipate in the secondary market success of their work. No otherhouse has made this level of commitment to Contemporary artists ormakers working today.

ChristineMiele,Phillips’NewRetailSalesDirector,Ecommerce,who was brought on to launch the initiative, said,“Created in response to the generational shift of contemporary artiststaking a more active role in self-representation, Phillips’ Dropshop istrulygroundbreaking. These regular ‘takeovers’ are designed tocreate a dedicated space for artists to directly engage with Phillips’ global collecting community, amplifying theirown voice in a personal and impactful way.As we embark on this venture, we look forward to presenting a culturallydiverse range of artists, spanning both emerging and blue-chip names. With Cj Hendry’s vibrant and captivatingartworks resonating with people across the globe, we are thrilled to partner with her as we launch Dropshop.”

Dropshop will launch on Sunday, 20 August, with works from AustralianhyperrealistCjHendry,anartistwhoembodiesthespiritofselfrepresentation, broad inclusion and democratization of the market. A first inher upcomingCrownseries, Hendry’s ‘drop’ will feature one hundred bronzecrowns, reminiscent of inflatables, alongside a large-scale drawing of one ofthe crowns.The pieces will be released on Dropshop at 10am ET on the20th, following an in-person experience on 19 August at 432 Park Avenue,featuring a “treasure hunt” through thousands of inflatable plastic crowns. Cjis committed to the principles of zero waste in practice. Any leftover plasticcrowns will be recycled and used in an upcoming exhibition. This is atestament to her dedication to sustainability and her desire to create art thatis not only visually stunning but also environmentally responsible. By reusingmaterials, Cj is taking an innovative approach to art that is both creative andconscious.
 

Cj Hendry said, “I am an artist of sorts, an impresario masquerading as anartist. In the early days my practice was intensely linear, built solely on drawing, with mechanical draftsmanshipbeing my focus. Over the years my hunger to build concepts bigger than a sheet of paper began to develop. I’vecome to exist within a grey area where I juggle curiosity, 2D, 3D, reality and fantasy. I am honoured to collaboratewith Phillips for their first-ever Dropshop edition, and flattered to be the first for this venture. The theme of the dropis Crowns and, between the limited-edition bronze crowns available online and the live event taking place at PhillipsHQ, we are bringing the concept into reality; there really is something for everyone here.”

Cj Hendry (b. 1988) is a New York-based artist originally from Brisbane, Australia. Hendry transforms her fascinationwith contemporary material culture into large-scale, hyper-photorealistic drawings. Hendry’s exhibits are intendedto be actively experienced through engaging, fun, and thought-provoking exhibits. For her exhibitMonochrome,Hendry and her team built an entire multi-room “home” inside a warehouse with each room entirely monochromecolored from floor to ceiling and everything in between. ForRorschach,guests jumped through a gigantic bouncyhouse maze in order to reach and finally view the impressive series. Each Cj Hendry exhibit, from Miami toMelbourne, draws massive crowds with attendees waiting in line for several hours - and, in the end, everyone leavesmore enriched than when they arrived. With her celebrity clientele – and many works in private collections - Hendry’swaitlist is now well over 3,000 collectors with a wait time of up to five years.

Miele joined Phillips in Spring 2023 with a diverse range of experience and relationships in art and culture, joiningPhillips from the Kehinde Wiley Shop where she rebranded and scaled the artist’s offering as his EcommerceDirector. She also co-owned and operated the mid-century design gallery reGeneration for nearly three decades inSoHo.