Cy Twombly, Untitled, 1964, Estimate £5,000,000 - 7,000,000.
Meet Cy Twombly
CY TWOMBLY IN GROTTAFERRATA, 1957 ©BETTY STOKES
Image Source: The Paris Review - The Erotics of Cy Twombly
The other day, I came across a painting that completely took my by surprise. This is the work of abstract expressionist artist, Cy Twombly, and it’s estimated at £5,000,000 - 7,000,000 pounds! (that’s between $6 - 10 million dollars!) I haven’t heard of this artist or seen any of his work before, until, I was scrolling on Facebook and just so happened to see this piece featured in an article by Sotheby’s and it made me completely stop scrolling, why? Because it looks so similar to my abstract works! Especially one in particular that I actually do NOT like titled “Unsolved Murder” (posted below). I painted that particular piece and did so blindfolded listening to Palladio by Karl Jenkins and although I enjoyed creating it. I did not like the outcome, but it was fun.
There were other pieces talked about in that article, but it was this one was the chosen featured one. Call me a person that believes in divine timing, but I took that as a sign as to not give up and honestly, it brightened me up. To see this painting, that’s so similar to my abstract pieces, in this light and for it to be worth in the millions!! It makes me appreciate the crazy uniqueness of my abstract pieces even more than I already do. Seeing the constant negative comments people were leaving felt relatable to me because on my videos as I was dancing and painting being free people would saying “painting with a drunk” or “what a junkie” and just be real negative. It was crazy to me that when you’re being “free” doing what you love or different, people automatically assume something has to be wrong with you. However, I did have a lot of people tell me how therapeutic it was watching me create or how pure the energy felt and I inspired them, and I’m grateful
With my art and journey being an artist, I have found a deep sense of appreciation not just for order but chaos as well. It’s easy to admire something beautiful, it’s hard to admire something so many people deemed ugly. Don’t mind me, I’m an artist having a moment of gratitude. Have a wonderful day everyone.
By the way, this lot actually sold for £7,781,400 ($10,740,978) at Sotheby’s. WOW!
Sotheby’s Article Source: "Tim Marlow on the Summer Season at Sotheby's"
Piece in reference, Unsolved Murder, 2017
This is the piece that popped into my head when I saw Twombly’s. My piece titled “Unsolved Murder” and even though I don’t really like this piece. I do appreciate it. If you’d like to watch the process video of me creating this piece, click here.