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- đ„ Alvaro minutes: Megabucks, Micro Masterpieces + Kwesi Botchway
đ„ Alvaro minutes: Megabucks, Micro Masterpieces + Kwesi Botchway
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-In a Minute-
đ„ Words I Like: spitfire, baller, overdrive
Megabucks, Micro Masterpieces
Some heavy-hitter collectors are throwing megabucks at Old Masters while Japanâs art scene is firing up with fruit-powered installations by Yuko Mohri. Smaller works have roared back into focus, feeding the appetite of space-starved collectors who want their art spicy without a shipping nightmare.
Steve Schwarzman just plunked down a record-breaking sum for Gainsborough and Reynolds, stirring up the genteel 18th-century portrait market like itâs a damn crypto frenzy.
Meanwhile, Francis Picabiaâs âEternal Beginningâ revival is giving modernists a reason to flex their checkbooks in search of Dadaâs more radical side.

Francis Picabia, Silence, 1949. Courtesy Mercatorfonds, Belgium, and ComiteÌ Picabia
Market watchers see the Japanese government pulling strings to support local artists, which hints at more edgy, experimental moves that shatter the old quiet-lotus stereotype.
The real winners might be the nimble galleries showcasing emergent talent in micro-shows, offering prime opportunities for flipping pocket-sized gems.
Collectors who hustle to snag these diminutive power-pieces can score big when the wave of hype hits. Go heavy on well-researched up-and-comers, skip the half-baked âidentityâ packaging, and aim for real substance.
This might mean monitoring new tax incentives (especially in Japan) or snagging works from overlooked scenes like the big reboot in Londonâs underground.
Shipping costs are wild, so cunning folks double down on smaller works to dodge insane freight fees while still repping killer quality.
The best tip: stay alert to sudden shiftsâone day youâre buying Gainsboroughâs aristos, next day youâre investing in rotting fruit sculptures that spark global debate. Big collectors may hog the headlines, but savvy buyers know the real gold is in these fast-paced transitions.
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-Todayâs Catch-
Kwesi Botchway
đ My 2 Cents: Kwesi Botchwayâs Purple Hair Tie stands at ÂŁ34,000, nestling comfortably in the sweet spot between a confident splurge and an all-out wallet invasion. The deep purple vibe and luminous green backdrop keep it flashy without crossing into gaudy territory.
đ Key Numbers: Botchwayâs total sales volume sits around $800k, with an average hammer ratio of about 1.28. His works average $50k, with a median of $26k, and an 80% sell-through rate. Demand remains solid, despite chatter about a slower African contemporary market lately.
đ§ Why Itâs a Smart Pick: His Afro-Impressionist style resonates with collectors seeking bold identity statements, and the modest cooldown in the market smells like opportunity for the right buyer. Botchway's upward momentum hasnât shown signs of deflating. A piece like this merges cultural relevance with strong visuals, making it more than just a trophy for your living room or office.
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-Alvaro (@theartmarketguy)
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