The Contemporary Art Market this Autumn

Market Insights from Leading Auctions

This autumn’s London auction season reflected a solid return to equilibrium in the art market. Across major houses, including Bonhams, Christie’s, Phillips, and Sotheby’s, the combined auction turnover reached £179 million, exceeding pre-sale estimates by 16%. This volume marked a 30% increase in sales, underscoring the heightened demand for high-value works.

The top 10 lots alone accounted for £75.8 million, with David Hockney's L'Arbois, Sainte-Maxime achieving the highest premium sale at £13.15 million. Other notable sales included Lucian Freud’s Ria, Naked Portrait and Jeff Koons’ Balloon Monkey (Blue), confirming that blue-chip artists continue to command strong results. The 81% sell-through rate highlights the strength of the market, even in a fluctuating global economy.

Read more: How to invest in art? A seven-point guide to help you understand the world of Contemporary Art investment.

Contemporary Art Market Trends

The Contemporary Art sector continues to thrive, with the market turnover reaching $1.8 billion globally. This figure surpasses pre-pandemic levels, driven by an increasing number of transactions, particularly for works under $5,000. Interestingly, while high-end sales ($50,000 and above) saw a decline, this more accessible price bracket experienced significant growth, showing a 6% rise in sales volume.

The auction market for ultra-contemporary art, particularly for female artists under 40, also surged. This niche accounted for $146 million in sales over the past year, with female artists dominating 7 of the top 10 positions. Such trends illustrate the evolving landscape of the art market, as emerging artists capture the interest of a new generation of collectors.

Maddox Investment Returns

The past year has been particularly fruitful for Maddox Gallery clients. From October 2023 to September 2024, our clients enjoyed an average return of 10.4%. Notably, in the last five years, the average return on investment climbed to 25.2%, showcasing the market's resilience and growth potential.

Several standout examples underline these impressive results. Harland Miller’s There’s No Business Like No Business yielded a return of 38.5%, while Damien Hirst’s The Souls I – Imperial Purple achieved 28.6%. Similarly, Damien Hirst’s Notre Dame saw a return of 35.3%. These returns exemplify the strength of contemporary and blue-chip artists as reliable assets in a diversified investment portfolio.

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Discover the World of Art Investment

With the art market showing robust performance and exciting trends across contemporary and blue-chip artists, now is an ideal time to explore art investment. Whether you are looking to diversify your portfolio or enhance your collection, our team at Maddox Gallery is here to guide you. Speak with one of our art advisors to learn how art can not only enrich your life but also serve as a powerful investment. Discover the possibilities that await in the dynamic world of art today.

Speak to an Advisor

For more information, please download Maddox Autumn Report below here or schedule a call with an Invesment Advisor here(This link opens in a new tab)..