Bastiaan Woudt, Hikage, 2020. BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE.
From 4–23 March, PhillipsX presents BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE at Phillips’ 432 Park Avenue gallery. Dedicated to the bold aesthetic of the contemporary artist, the exhibition marks both his first solo exhibition in New York and also Phillips’ first selling exhibition showcasing a photographer since launching our state-of-the-art space in Manhattan.
Bastiaan Woudt’s Rapid Ascent
Bastiaan Woudt, Cycle II, 2020. BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE.
Bastiaan Woudt’s undeniable resonance with international collectors is a testament to his meteoric rise within the field of contemporary art. Having presented successful solo shows in cities including Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Los Angeles, his first solo museum exhibition Twist was held at Museum Kranenburgh in Bergen, Norway, in 2022. That same year, the J. Paul Getty Museum acquired a print of Cycle II for their permanent collection.
Woudt has published 10 photobooks to date and the 13 last-in-edition works on offer in this exhibition include 11 images from his lauded 2021 monograph Rhythm. The works Eclipse and Tinotenda III on offer here were included in his museum debut in Norway. Eight of the works are no longer available in the other sizes and edition, making this a rare chance to acquire these exceptional images.
“Monochromatic Minimalism”
Bastiaan Woudt, Tinotenda III, 2015. BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE.
A self-taught photographer, Woudt has developed his distinctive monochromatic style through experimentation with both in-camera and post-production techniques. The works on offer showcase this approach and his meticulous craftsmanship and mastery of monochrome imagery. He draws inspiration from classic black-and-white photographs by 20th-century masters Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, aiming to capture the quality of analogue photography through digital means. With an intricate play of light and shadow, he presents the essence of his subjects through intentional contrasts. The choice of black and white is not merely an aesthetic preference but a deliberate decision to strip away distractions, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in the form, structure, and materiality of each image.
Creative Collaboration
Bastiaan Woudt, Twice, 2021. BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE.
The exhibition also celebrates the longstanding relationship between Phillips and Woudt, who established his world auction record of £60,480 at Phillips in 2021. Woudt’s 2019 auction debut was a highlight of the ULTIMATE platform in the London Photographs sale, and he has since achieved a 100% sell-through rate for his XL-sized prints. The last-in-edition prints are offered here in the accessible format of 47¼ x 35¼ inches — the first offering of his work in this format at Phillips.
“This exhibition is a special moment for me to show 13 works that have played an incredibly important role in my career so far,” Woudt tells us, adding that it is one of the milestones in his career to date. Yuka Yamaji — Phillips’ Head of Photographs, Europe — says that for this important occasion “Bastiaan has personally chosen 13 exceptional images that are not only emblematic of his continued pursuit of ‘monochromatic minimalism’ but also last-in-edition works, presenting an unparalleled opportunity to acquire these exclusive photographs.”
A Must-See Delight
Bastiaan Woudt, Eclipse, 2019. BASTIAAN WOUDT: ESSENCE.
Though the artist is of course excited for his first solo exhibition in New York, the occasion is also a moment for him to let go of prints he holds dear. As Woudt tells us, “While it hurts a little to say goodbye to these last-in-edition works, it comforts me to know that they will bring joy to the collectors who acquire them.”
Visit the gallery to experience these captivating portraits and discover that joy for yourself.
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