DALLAS, TX.- Multiple records for artists and for individual prints were set in
Heritage Auctions Urban Art Auction, which realized a total of $2,737,160 in Chicago.
The July 22-23 auction boasted sell-through rates of 96.7% by value and 93.1% by lots sold, and benefitted from the visibility gained at a pre-auction viewing at ComplexCon, which drew high traffic, especially at the replica bus stop that carried what turned out to be the auctions top lot.
Several of the new records that were set, and six of the top 10 prices realized in the sale, were from artwork by KAWS, one of the art worlds most sought-after contemporary artists. Other artists whose works contributed significantly to the strong final results included Yoshitomo Nara (pictured), Stik and Banksy.
Some of the records that fell in the sale included:
KAWS Kate Moss, White Gloves, 2001: $51,250 record for this print at auction
Banksy No Ball Games, 2009: $50,000 record for this print at auction
KAWS Companion Incense Stand, 2013: $33,750 record for this item at auction
KAWS Presenting the Past, 2014: $32,500 record for this item at auction
KAWS You Should Know I Know, 2015: $32,500 record for this print at auction
Daniel Arsham Future Relic, Complete Excavation Set of Nine, 2013-18: $25,000 auction record for the artist
Alec Monopoly Piano, 2010: $20,000 world record for Alec Monopoly at auction
Josh Sperling Untitled, 2015: $18,750 world record for Josh Sperling at auction
Damien Hirst Cafe Royal, 2018: $11,250 record for this print at auction and record for the series at auction
Kurt B Kintsugi Honey Bear, 2019: $8,000 the first piece of functional glass art ever sold at a major international auction house
Matt Gondek Simpsons Nuclear Family 4ft Statue, 2018: $7,187.50 world record for Matt Gondek at auction
Super Future Kid You & Me and Me & You, 2018: $1,625 world record for Super Fun kid at auction
KAWS is one of the most popular contemporary artists out there, and his works are in extremely high demand, said Leon Benrimon, a Director of Modern and Contemporary Art at Heritage Auctions. His widespread popularity is underscored not just by the top lot, but also through the strong showing by his art at the top end of the auction.
Among the top results in the sale were a pair of works by the Brooklyn-based artist: KAWS 4FT Dissected Companion (Black) drew bids from 18 collectors before closing at $137,500, and KAWS Untitled (MBF), 2015 brought $118,750.
Nearly a dozen collectors made bids for Yoshitomo Nara Sleepless Night (Sitting), 2007 until it realized $81,250, more than doubling its low estimate. The 11-inch figure is deceptive, initially appearing small and even cute before giving way to an unsettling expression of restlessness.
Enjoying similar popularity among multiple bidders was Stik Migrant 4, 2017, which sold for $68,750.
Other top lots included, but were not limited to:
KAWS Companion-Bus Stop, 2001: $375,000
Banksy Rude Copper, 2002: $62,500
After Jean-Michel Basquiat I (four works), 2017: $58,750
KAWS Ankle Bracelet, 2017: $53,750
KAWS Piranhas When You're Sleeping, 2016: $51,250
Mr. Brainwash Retrospect, 2013: $25,000
BE@RBRICK X Chanel Coco Chanel 1000%, 2006: $23,750