NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips announced that Cecilia Laffan is joining the company as a regional representative for Mexico, part of the company’s significant international expansion strategy.

“We are delighted that Cecilia is joining Phillips and helping us expand our reach in Mexico, which is increasingly becoming one of the most important cultural capitals of the world,” said Matt Carey-Williams, Deputy Chairman and Head of International Business Development. “Cecilia has a deep understanding of the art market and a dedication to putting clients first. With her significant experience and passion for engaging with collectors, Cecilia is a strategic addition to our team as we continue to increase our market share in Latin American art.”

Ms. Laffan will work closely with Phillips representatives in London and New York, especially with Henry Allsopp, Worldwide Head of the company’s Latin American Art Department, and his team. Ms. Laffan joins Phillips from the TAE Foundation A.C., where she was the Art Director for the non-profit organization that focuses on cultural evolution through the integration of art and nature. She also worked as a manager and director of Christie’s Mexico office for several years.

Phillips is in the midst of a major international expansion. Along with establishing its Hong Kong office, the company has added regional representatives in Los Angeles, Seattle, Germany and South Korea in the past year, and plans to announce several more regional representatives in the months ahead.

Phillips' Latin American Art department is experiencing exponential growth. Between 2009 and 2015, the department’s auction sales increased more than 300%, as it continues to lead the market for Latin American contemporary art while building a platform for works by modern masters such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo and Amelia Peláez. The department had a spectacular achievement this year with the $15.7 million private sale of Diego Rivera’s Baile en Tehuantepec, a record price for a work of Latin American art. Phillips is leading the market capturing younger audiences and collectors, in addition to catering to the traditional and well-established Latin American art market.

Phillips is hosting an upcoming exhibition of works by Wifredo Lam, one of the most important artists ever to emerge from Cuba. On view at Phillips’ London headquarters at 30 Berkeley Square from October 10-21, the exhibition will focus on Lam’s exploration of his lauded Afro-Cuban iconography. The show is the most important exhibition of Latin American art to ever take place at Phillips in Europe.