Article | The Prompt Phillips Auction
The Prompt: A Short Fiction Series for Authors Inspired by Artists
In each installment of our ongoing series, we invite authors to imagine an original story inspired by works of art.
Sarah Slappey, Yellow Touch (detail), 2018. New Now New York.
The Prompt: Emily Ludwig Shaffer
Marie-Helene Bertino serves up a recipe for magic realism inspired by Emily Ludwig Shaffer's 'Bay Leaf Wrapped Night.'
Emily Ludwig Shaffer, Bay Leaf Wrapped Night, 2018. New Now New York.
The Prompt: David Hockney
Memory can be a haunting companion. Gina Chung finds inspiration in a 1984 interior scene from David Hockney's Moving Focus series.
David Hockney, Tyler Dining Room from Moving Focus, 1984. David Hockney, London.
The Prompt: Julian Opie
Some guessing games are higher stakes than most. Torrente Dos Santos brings Julian Opie's faceless figures to (after)life.
Julian Opie, Sian Walking; Jeremy Walking in Coat; Verity Walking; and Kris Walking (C. 147-150), 2010. Editions Southampton.
The Prompt: Lillian Bassman
The past meets a present in Gauraa Shekhar's short story, inspired by the glamorous photographs of Lillian Bassman.
Lillian Bassman, The V-Back Evenings: Suzy Parker, Harper's Bazaar, New York, 1955. Photographs New York.
The Prompt: Sarah Slappey
Sitting up straight is half the battle, but even then, a helping touch can only go so far. Jemimah Wei channels Sarah Slappey.
Sarah Slappey, Yellow Touch, 2018. New Now New York.
The Prompt: Andy Warhol
At times, inspiration can feel like pulling teeth. Heather Fowler peeks behind the creative process of Andy Warhol's Saint Apollonia prints.
Andy Warhol, Saint Apollonia (set of four), 1984. Editions London.
The Prompt: Max Ernst
Angela Readman explores the peculiar objects of memory – featuring works by Max Ernst and Lee Miller.
Max Ernst, Vue de ma fenêtre. Maximiliana: Max Ernst from the Collection of Peter Schamoni.
The Prompt: François-Xavier Lalanne
Meg Pokrass rides through the mist of the heart, inspired by François-Xavier Lalanne's Agneau.
François-Xavier Lalanne, Agneau, from the Nouveaux Moutons series, 2006. Design London.
The Prompt: Bonnie Seeman
Elizabeth McCracken imagines the family lore behind a fantastical Bonnie Seeman teapot.
Bonnie Seeman, Teapot. Design: Online Auction.
The Prompt: David Hockney
Beth Lisick imagines an awkward-but-wholesome dinner party within the apartments overlooking David Hockney's neat lawn.
David Hockney, A Neat Lawn, 1967. Sold for $11,000,000. 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale.
The Prompt: Paula Rego
Juli Delgado Lopera takes Paula Rego's The Aunt (Nada) back to its literary origins.
Paula Rego, The Aunt (Nada), 2006. 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale, London.
The Prompt: Sanya Kantarovsky
Michelle Tea riffs on Sanya Kantarovsky’s Resistance, 2017.
Sanya Kantarovsky, Resistance, 2017. Sold for £2,772. Wired: Online Auction.
Recommended Reading