My painting Sleepwaters will be part of the Art Renewal Centre Salon auction at Sotheby’s in New York.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/contemporary-realism-important-21st-century-works

Available during the auction or for pre-purchase:

The Art Renewal Center® (ARC) is proud to present nearly 100 award winning works from 20 countries from the 17th/18th International ARC Salons, hosted by Sotheby’s New York: 945 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021, from July 17 - July 27, 2026. 47 of these works are being offered for sale in an online auction hosted on Sothebys.com.

We are allowing interested individuals to purchase works in advance for those who do not wish to compete for the works in the auction. Please contact Angela.jones@artrenewal.org for enquiries.

Having received over 8,500 entries from 87 countries over the course of the 17th and 18th competitions, the International ARC Salon is the largest, most influential, and far-reaching competition for Contemporary Realism in the world, with over $130,000 in cash awards in each salon and international recognition through partnerships with prestigious magazines, galleries, and museums with live exhibitions and a strong online presence.

About the artwork:

Sleepwaters weaves together imagery of falling into and waking from sleep. Hypnagogia, the transitional state as we fall asleep, is a fascinating and psychologically potent state, as the mind sharpens, softens and metamorphoses around the sensations of the body. At the edge of sleep, impossible notions can seem quite real, and can entwine with anxieties, blissful relaxation, erotic feelings or sadness.

Sleepwaters suggests falling into and waking from sleep. At the edge of sleep, the hypnagogic state, impossible notions can seem quite real, and can entwine with anxieties, blissful relaxation, erotic feelings or sadness. We begin to sink into the streams and mists of dream.

Oil on Linen

Signed 'BRETON' lower right

Oil on linen

Canvas: 24 by 48 in.; 61 by 121.9 cm

Framed: 28 by 52 in.; 71.1 by 132.1 cm

Executed in 2025