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1) Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

💭 My 2 Cents: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's "Minotaur To Matador" is about to hit the auction block, and it’s one to watch. Her market has seen a stellar rise – just look at the numbers: from $29K in 2013 to a whopping $574K in 2024 for average estimates. Paintings dominate her sales, outperforming prints and works on paper by miles. And her realized prices? They’ve more than doubled estimates on occasion, hitting an impressive $1.1M in 2024. Now, about this triptych. It’s a rare format for her, making it a standout piece. The narrative echoes Picasso’s explorations but with a contemporary, introspective twist. The chromatic brilliance and subtle storytelling in these three panels are exceptional. Here's why this matters: high sell-through rates (89.62%) and consistent market interest mean strong demand. If you're considering adding this to your collection, keep in mind that recent high-value sales have skewed averages, making the $1.1M - $1.8M estimate plausible but potentially conservative. I expect it to fetch closer to $2.5M-$3M. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, if you’re ready for a competitive bid.

2) Jadé Fadojutimi

💭 My 2 Cents: Regular readers know I have a soft spot for contemporary abstract artists, especially those who bring a unique narrative and vibrant aesthetic to their work. Jadé Fadojutimi is one such artist who has consistently captured the market’s attention. Her painting "She's Distressed," from 2019, is coming up for auction at Christie's, with an estimate between $300,000 and $440,000. Now, why should you care about this lot? Let’s talk data. Comparable pieces from Fadojutimi, especially those created around the same time and with similar dimensions, have been performing exceptionally well. For instance, works from 2019 have been selling in the range of $500,000 to $700,000. The market clearly loves her paintings, with realized prices often blowing past initial estimates. Her accolades don’t hurt either. Solo shows at major institutions like ICA Miami and group exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art add a lot of weight to her name. Plus, being included in big biennials like the Venice Biennale certainly boosts her profile. But let's not get carried away. Recent trends show a slight dip in hammer ratios, hinting at a possible market stabilization. However, her sell-through rates remain strong, and the upward trend in her realized prices is hard to ignore. Trust the data, and you might snag a stellar piece.

3) Robert Nava

💭 My 2 Cents: Robert Nava’s art might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there's something undeniably captivating about it. This piece, "T-LC1," from 2019, is a wild mix of acrylic, oilstick, and graphite on canvas. It’s got that chaotic vibe Nava is known for. The estimates are between $100,000 and $150,000, and it’s hitting the auction block at Phillips London. First off, Nava’s market trajectory has been pretty solid. His works have climbed from an average of $55,000 in 2020 to $140,000 in 2024. That's a pretty sweet rise. Plus, his sell-through rate is 77.53%, so his work is in demand. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. The hammer ratio is slipping—realized prices are sticking closer to the estimates. It’s like a heads-up that you might not get those sky-high bids. And yeah, there was a bit of a dip in 2023, so there’s a whiff of volatility. From my own buying adventures, Nava’s paintings usually fall into that $50,000 to $100,000 sweet spot. They’re not dirt cheap, but they’re also not breaking the bank. "T-LC1" fits right into that range, so it could be a smart pick.

4) William Copley

💭 My 2 Cents: William N. Copley's "Le Grand Bouffe" is up for auction at Phillips London. If you’re into art that mixes Surrealism with a cheeky dash of Pop Art, this piece might just be your next favorite. Copley, known for his bright colors and playful, sometimes risqué themes, painted this one in 1973. It’s got all his signature style – think bold lines, cartoonish figures, and a humorous take on eroticism. Now, let’s talk numbers. Similar works by Copley have been averaging around $120,000, often selling well above their high estimates. With an estimate between $75,000 and $100,000 for this piece, "Le Grand Bouffe" could potentially fetch a high price, maybe even hitting that $120k mark if the market stays hot. Provenance? Top-notch, and it’s been shown in some impressive places like the New York Cultural Center and Fondazione Prada. That’s always a good sign.

5) Claire Tabouret

💭 My 2 Cents: Claire Tabouret's "Sachiko (Green)" at Christie's London caught my eye this week. Having followed her career since her breakout "Maisons Inondées" series, I've watched her market steadily climb. This piece, from her 2020 "The Pull of the Sun" show, exemplifies her style that first drew me in. The estimate of $40,000-60,000 seems fair given recent sales, but I'm cautious. While Tabouret's overall market is strong (77% sell-through rate), I've noticed her 2020 works often fall slightly below estimates. This piece's size and provenance (exhibited at Night Gallery) could boost its appeal, but I'd be wary of overpaying. What intrigues me most is Tabouret's consistent presence in major collections (LACMA, Centre Pompidou). This institutional backing suggests long-term value potential. Personally, I'm on the fence. While I admire the piece, I'm not convinced it's a must-have at this price point. I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't be disappointed if it slipped away.

🔗 Market Stories

Welcome to the slow museum, where less is more. In an effort to deepen existing programming, some institutions are choosing to stage fewer exhibitions (link)

The Venice Biennale spotlights the market for latin american art. Artists from the region have historically been marginalized. Four case studies highlight the area's complexities (link)

Larry Gagosian just made some big changes at the gallery's top levels, shaping his strategy to keep his empire dominant, with or without him (link)

Gallerist Sylvia Kouvali: ‘The market moved to safer artists, with a more conservative approach’ (link)

The market for south asian modern and contemporary art keeps growing. Sotheby’s brought in $19.8 million for its South Asian modern and contemporary art evening sale the past March (link)

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