🔥 Artists to Watch - Works of Erwin Wurm, Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Ayako Rokkaku, and 2 other finds

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HEY Y’ALL! 🔥

Today, we’re back with 5 exciting pieces available on the market. Quick update first:

1- Thanks to last week’s feedback, each artist now comes with a PDF of market data. If you love detailed insights, this is for you!

2- Building on that, last Sunday I went all-in and built an app (see the GIF below) that generates on-demand market analysis. I won’t get too technical here, but I’m planning to launch it soon with an early lifetime price for the first 100 sign-ups. Join the waitlist to secure your discount.

3- As our community grows here and on Instagram, I’m gaining access to more off-market pieces. So below the usual button, you’ll now find a link where I can connect you with art dealers and private collectors if you’re interested in off-market works by the featured artists.

Now, let’s dive into today’s newsletter!

1) Erwin Wurm

• 📍 Bio: Austrian, 1954

• 📊 YOY Growth 2023: +228%

• 💰 Record Price: $185,000 for Fat Car, sold at Christie's New York in 2014

• 🌎 Main Market: U.K

💭 My 2 Cents: Here’s the deal with Erwin Wurm’s "Fat Car"—it’s part of his well-known "fat" series, which is all about taking everyday things and blowing them up (literally and figuratively). This car? It’s exaggerated on purpose, poking fun at our obsession with “more”—more stuff, bigger stuff.

🔑 Key Numbers: This piece has solid provenance, having passed through Christie's in New York and originally from Art: Concept in Paris. Auction results for his "fat" series have been consistent, and despite a few market dips, Wurm’s sell-through rate is holding at around 75%, with interest in his work rising since 2020. His "Fat Car" and other works that push social critique without being too in-your-face are what collectors keep returning to.

🧠 Why It’s a Smart Pick: Limited edition (just 8 in the series) and rising interest in Wurm’s satire-heavy style mean there’s growth potential. This piece has a proven track record with high visibility, so it’s likely to keep pulling attention from collectors in the future.

Looking for off-market pieces? Connect with art dealers and private collectors here.

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2) Mehdi Ghadyanloo

• 📍 Bio: Iranian, 1981

• 📊 YOY Growth 2024: +11%

• 💰 Record Price: $323,957 for Memories of the Future, sold at Christie's Hong Kong in 2024.

• 🌎 Main Market: Hong Kong

💭 My 2 Cents: This piece is like a playground dream turned introspective—two spiral slides basking in sunlight but boxed in a surreal, almost isolated room. Ghadyanloo’s known for these mind-bending spaces that blend hope with a hint of confinement, and this work is no exception. It’s cheerful at first glance, but there’s a story here about limits and escape.

🔑 Key Numbers: This piece was painted in 2021, coming straight from Unit Gallery in London. Ghadyanloo’s market is solid, with a 100% sell-through rate and an average annual price bump of 11%. His big canvases—this one’s a sizable 215 x 200 cm—tend to pull strong prices, with recent sales averaging around $97,306.

🧠 Why It’s a Smart Pick: Ghadyanloo’s market is on the up, and this piece has the elements collectors are chasing: unique scale, signature surrealism, and a touch of narrative depth. With institutions like the Mint Museum collecting his pieces, he’s on a promising trajectory.

Looking for off-market pieces? Connect with art dealers and private collectors here.

3) Ayako Rokkaku

• 📍 Bio: Japanese, 1982

• 📊 YOY Growth 2023: -29%

• 💰 Record Price: $1,328,181 for Untitled, sold at SBI Art Auction in 2022.

• 🌎 Main Market: Hong Kong

💭 My 2 Cents: This isn’t your typical canvas—it’s a wild burst of energy straight from the artist’s hands to the viewer. Known for her bare-handed, live-painting approach, Rokkaku ditches the brush to let her fingers bring every color and shape to life. Think abstract expressionism with a playful twist; it’s raw, instinctual, and full of childlike freedom.

🔑 Key Numbers: With a solid 91% sell-through rate, her pieces rarely stay on the market for long. Her average auction price spiked in 2021, reaching $245,993, while consistently outpacing estimates by up to 65%. Institutions from the Powerlong Art Museum in China to the Voorlinden Museum in the Netherlands have her work in their collections, proving her appeal on a global scale.

🧠 Why It’s a Smart Pick: This piece hits all the right notes for collectors—high demand, cultural resonance, and a unique, hands-on style that keeps audiences engaged. Rokkaku’s playful yet intense approach bridges Japanese kawaii with Western abstract influences, making it both accessible and distinct.

Looking for off-market pieces? Connect with art dealers and private collectors here.

4) Robert Ryman

• 📍 Bio: American, 1930 - 2019

• 📊 YOY Growth 2023: -82%

• 💰 Record Price: $20,605,000 for Bridge, sold at Christie's New York in 2015.

• 🌎 Main Market: U.S

💭 My 2 Cents: This piece it’s minimalism distilled to its purest form. I think Ryman’s magic is in his ability to make simplicity feel profound. It’s practically bare, with just two metal tacks on an aluminum surface, inviting you to rethink what “painting” can even mean.

🔑 Key Numbers: Ryman’s work has serious market credibility, boasting a median auction price around $349,500 and a sell-through rate close to 90%. "Conversion" is part of a limited edition (29 of 30), which keeps it rare yet accessible. With an estimate of $7,000–10,000, it’s an unusually affordable entry point into Ryman’s world, considering his works have fetched much higher numbers over the years.

🧠 Why It’s a Smart Pick: This work is a classic Ryman—quiet yet impactful, with a unique tactile appeal that minimalist collectors love. For those wanting a foothold in high-caliber minimalism without the heavy upfront investment, "Conversion" is a no-brainer.

Looking for off-market pieces? Connect with art dealers and private collectors here.

5) Carlos Cruz-Diez

• 📍 Bio: Venezuelan, 1923 - 2019

• 📊 YOY Growth 2023: -34%

• 💰 Record Price: $1,115,354 for 8 Works : Portfolio. Couleur additive, sold at Germann Auctions in 2014.

• 🌎 Main Market: U.S

💭 My 2 Cents: Carlos Cruz-Diez’s work is all about shifting perspectives—literally. This piece from his “Physichromie” series demands you interact with it. Stand at one angle, and it’s a blend of blue, red, and white stripes; take a step, and you’re in a whole new color world. I think this dynamic approach to color and movement captures the essence of Cruz-Diez’s unique legacy in kinetic art.

🔑 Key Numbers: This piece is priced at €75,457, right in line with recent sales of similar works by Cruz-Diez in his later career. His “Physichromie” series consistently performs well at auction, with a reliable 5-7% annual growth rate. European and Latin American markets are particularly strong for his work, though demand has been rising in the U.S. recently. This piece’s size and format are also collector-friendly—perfect for smaller spaces without sacrificing impact.

🧠 Why It’s a Smart Pick: Cruz-Diez’s work is timeless yet trendy. This piece is a great entry point for collectors looking for an artwork with both historical and contemporary relevance. It’s perfect for those who appreciate interaction in art—its dynamic color play adds a vibrant touch to any collection, making it more than just “another wall piece.”

Looking for off-market pieces? Connect with art dealers and private collectors here.

-Whenever You Are Ready-

Here are 3 ways I can help you:​

1. Want me to work with you to source on and off-market pieces, assist with acquisitions, and help you grow your collection? Book a call

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3. Interested in selling works from your collection? I'll help you connect with buyers from the Frame&Flame Community.

See you next Wednesday!

-Alvaro (@theartmarketguy)

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