This article is part of the Artnet Intelligence Report Mid-Year Review 2024. Our analysis of the first half of the year’s market trends provides a data-driven overview of the current state of the art world, highlighting auction results and trends, and spotlights the artists and artworks shaping the dialogue.
Despite the overwhelmingly negative view of the art market right now, interest in contemporary artists never wanes. In the first half of 2024, eight artists in particular saw massive leaps in searches on Artnet’s Price Database. Below, see the top-selling lots at auction for each of these rising stars, all of whose records were set in 2023 or 2024.
Blair Whiteford (b. 1990)
Blair Whiteford, Mass Controller (2020). Courtesy of Phillips.
Auction Record: Mass Controller (2020)
Estimate: $60,000 to $80,000
Sold For: $63,500
Where & When: Phillips New York, November 15, 2023
Emma McIntyre (b. 1990)
Emma McIntyre, If there is light that has weight (2021). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Auction Record: If there is light that has weight (2021)
Estimate: £15,000 to £20,000 GBP ($19,287 to $25,716)
Sold For: £100,800 GBP ($129,612)
Where & When: Christie’s London, March 9, 2024
Wynnie Mynerva (b. 1992)
Wynnie Mynerva, Bailo mi ritmo, pero no me detengo (2022). Courtesy of Phillips.
Auction Record: Bailo mi ritmo, pero no me detengo (2022)
Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000 ($10,069 to $15,103)
Sold For: £139,700 ($175,83)
Where & When: Phillips London, December 6, 2023
Alfie Caine (b. 1996)
Alfie Caine, Interior with Sunflowers at Sunset (2020). Courtesy of Phillips.
Auction Record: Interior with Sunflowers at Sunset (2020)
Estimate: £12,000 to £18,000 ($15,420 to $23,130)
Sold For: £120,650 ($155,037 USD)
Where & When: Phillips London, March 8, 2024
Maja Ruznic (b. 1983)
Maja Ruznic, Field (Mother/Deep Red) (2021). Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Auction Record: Field (Mother/Deep Red) (2021)
Estimate: £20,000 to £30,000 ($25,588 to $38,382)
Sold For: £57,150 ($73,119)
Where & When: Sotheby’s London, March 7, 2024
Lauren Halsey (b. 1987)
Lauren Halsey, Untitled (2020). Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Auction Record: Untitled (2020)
Estimate: $40,000 to $60,000
Sold For: $127,000
Where & When: Sotheby’s New York, November 16, 2023
Rick Lowe (b. 1961)
Rick Lowe, Untitled (2021). Courtesy of Christie’s Images, Ltd.
Auction Record: Untitled (2021)
Estimate: $100,000 to $150,000
Sold For: $277,200
Where & When: Christie’s New York, September 29, 2023
Stefanie Heinze (b. 1987)
Stefanie Heinze, Voyeurs’ Interfear (2016). Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Auction Record: Voyeurs’ Interfear (2016)
Estimate: £120,000 to £180,000 ($146,538 to $219,807)
Sold For: £279,400 ($341,189)
Where & When: Sotheby’s London, October 12, 2023
Source: Artnet Price Database.
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