The value of art by Native American artists has room to grow.
American artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko have each sold individual paintings for more than $110 million. The number of non-American Indian artists whose work is routinely sold in excess of $1 million, is in excess of 300. Auction results for art made by American Indian artists yield only one artist whose work exceeds $2 million: Robert Rauschenberg (Cherokee). Dealer sales result in approximately 22 American Indian artists whose artworks have sold for six figures up to $2 million.
Corinne Cain, owner, Savvy Collector
The deceased artists are Allan Houser, George Morrison, Bill Reid, Fritz Scholder, TC Cannon, Harry Fonseca and Rick Bartow. Living artists are Kay Walkingstick, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Bob Haozous, Dan Namingha, Edgar Heap of Birds, Emmi Whitehorse, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, Roxanne Swentzell, Tony Abeyta, Kent Monkman, Marie Watt, Jeffrey Gibson, Nicholas Galanin, Cannupa Hanska Luger and Rose Simpson.
The art library at Savvy Collector in Phoenix.
A noticeable uptick has occurred during the last four to five years in response to public awareness of the lack of diversity found in museum collections and top gallery offerings. This recognition has prompted an inclusion scurry benefiting African American artists, Latin American artists, women artists and American Indian artists.
Ignacio Moquino (Zia, 1917-1982), Gleeful Doe, gouache, 8 x 11"
As demand outstrips supply, prices rise. One painting by Harrison Begay currently on offer for $1,500 has its original price attached—$17.50. An extraordinary painting by Ignacio Moquino bears its original price of $3. Acceleration of prices of Indigenous artistic expressions is impressive. There remain many miles to increase in an art industry currently defined in excess of $50 billion.
Savvy Collector
Phoenix, AZ, (602) 906-1633, (877) 906-1633
www.savvycollector.com
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