Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • Contact Us
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • AMMpro

Reports of Hirst's Demise . . . Exaggerated?

January 7, 2009 by Marion Maneker

After poorly argued reports that the Hirst market had crashed–based solely on one painting in the Fall sales in New York–the eagle-eyed Colin Gleadell puts together this fact-based report on the state of Damien Hirst’s market. (Though any sensible market-watcher will see its limitations too.)

“Damien Hirst Sees Prices Slump,” read a headline on the Bloomberg News website on December 18. But, just 12 days later, in a candle-lit gallery in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier, an exhibition of Hirst’s spot prints and spin paintings opened to unanimous approval. Within days, all but five of the 22 works had been sold. Prices ranged from £10,000 to £250,000.

London dealer Gül Coskun launched the only gallery in the ski resort last year, and this was her first exhibition for Hirst. Buyers came from as far afield as Hong Kong, but most were Europeans who wanted something for their Alpine chalets.

“Since the Sotheby’s auction in September, more people than ever know about Hirst,” Coskun says.

Coskun’s quote is, of course, the crux of the matter. Hirst’s genius for publicity, especially the diamond-encrusted skull which may go down in history as his version of Andy Warhol’s quote about fame and the quarter hour (in our media culture it helps to have a tag line), still drives his market.

Art Market News (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Sotheby’s Increases Auction Commission Margin in Q1Sotheby’s Increases Auction Commission Margin in Q1
  • Bernard Buffet Makes a Solid Showing in Sotheby’s Hong KongBernard Buffet Makes a Solid Showing in Sotheby’s Hong Kong
  • Daniel Komala Wants Some CreditDaniel Komala Wants Some Credit
  • How to Tell Good from MeaninglessHow to Tell Good from Meaningless
  • Understanding the Hirst MarketUnderstanding the Hirst Market
  • The Universal Language of SpotsThe Universal Language of Spots
  • Print
  • Tweet

Filed Under: General

Advertise on Art Market Monitor with Nectar Ads

Top Posts

  • Bonhams Brings Second Generation of Modern Vietnamese Art in Hong Kong
  • The Famous Rauschenberg Scull Shoving Match Didn't Go Down the Way You Think It Did
  • Re-discovered John Constable Painting at Sotheby's in December
  • David Hockney's $20m Pacific Coast Highway & Santa Monica
  • Top Ten Picasso Prices at Auction
  • Christie's Announces $70m Picasso Self Portrait
  • The Economic Value of Michelangelo's David
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • Christie's Warms Up to Pierre Soulages Record Price
  • Picasso Portait of Jacqueline Leads Christie's NY Sale in November


  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • Art Loans
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Advertise on Art Market Monitor