From the Kindness of Strangers:
A Significant David Hockney Item to be Auctioned in Essex.
A pair of rare early ceramic pieces created by renowned British Artist David Hockney and his friend Norman Stevens will be sold at auction in October by Essex Auctioneers Stacey’s. The circumstances around their creation present a fascinating insight into the artists early career and student life.
In 1955, Peter Richards and his wife owned a cottage alongside the A1 in Bedfordshire. One rainy Sunday afternoon they were surprised to see two young men who had unsuccessfully sought shelter under their eaves during a storm. Offering them refuge, Mrs Richards kindly made tea to warm them and dried their clothes. These young men turned out to be David Hockney and Norman Stevens, both then students at Bradford College of Art; and at that time who frequently hitch-hiked to London along the Great North Road to visit exhibitions.
The cat and other items can be viewed at The Grosvenor Gallery 35 Bury Street, St James’s London SW1Y 6AU between the 9th band 13th of October to coincide with Frieze Masters London and on view at Stacey’s Auction Room, Great Baddow CM2 7JW on the 21st and 22nd October – the sale will be held on Monday the 23rd
Article in the Antique Magazine