“Blue Chip” Artist Movement
JUNE 18TH, 2023
As the art market continues to evolve and grow, certain artists have emerged as the most sought-after and in-demand "blue chip" artists of the moment. These artists, who have established themselves as major figures in the art world, have seen their works fetch increasingly high prices at auction and in private sales. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most in-demand blue chip artists in 2023.
Jean-Michel Basquiat is widely considered one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. His raw, expressive paintings and drawings often feature enigmatic symbols and text, and his work is noted for its powerful commentary on race, class, and power in American society. Basquiat's paintings have consistently set records at auction, with his 1982 work "Untitled" selling for $110.5 million in 2017, making him the highest-grossing American artist at auction.
German artist Gerhard Richter is known for his versatility and ability to work across multiple mediums, including painting, photography, and sculpture. His abstract and photorealistic works often explore themes of memory, perception, and the nature of representation. Richter's work has been in high demand for many years, and his 1986 painting "Abstraktes Bild" sold for $46.3 million at auction in 2015.
Jeff Koons is known for his playful and often controversial sculptures, which often take the form of everyday objects such as balloon animals or toy trains. Koons' work has been the subject of numerous high-profile exhibitions, and his sculptures have fetched record prices at auction, with his 1986 sculpture "Rabbit" selling for $91.1 million in 2019, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a work by a living artist.
Cindy Sherman is a photographer and conceptual artist known for her staged self-portraits, which often explore themes of identity, gender, and the representation of women in popular culture. Sherman's work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, and her photographs have fetched high prices at auction, with her 1981 photograph "Untitled #96" selling for $3.9 million in 2011.
Ai Weiwei is known for his provocative and politically charged works, which often address issues of human rights and government censorship. Ai's work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, and his installations and sculptures have fetched high prices at auction, with his 2010 sculpture "Sunflower Seeds" selling for $782,500 in 2012.
These five artists represent a diverse range of styles and mediums, but they all share a common thread: they have established themselves as major figures in the art world, with works that are highly sought-after by collectors and institutions alike. As the art market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see which new artists emerge as the next blue chip stars.
