Hauser & Wirth sells David Hammons work for $4.75 million Untitled (2014) topped the deal reports at Art Basel’s Miami Beach VIP preview, which kicked off yesterday, December 4th.
This year is the 22nd edition of the largest art fair in the Western Hemisphere, with 286 exhibitors participating. It is also the first art fair hosted by veteran gallerist Bridget Finn. More than 10 art fairs are held during Miami Art Week, including notable events such as Untitled Art, Miami Beach and NADA.
The Hammons sale fetched $4.75 million, well below last year’s leading sale at last year’s Art Basel Miami Beach VIP Daily, a $20 million Philip Guston painting ( Also sold by Hauser & Wirth). Despite the more cautious pace of trading, traders still expressed optimism.
“After a dark and intense season, it feels like the clouds have parted, and Miami’s perfect blue-sky weather reflects the mood of the art world – vibrant and focused, minus the overly frenetic energy of the past,” Hauser and Waugh said. President Mark Payot. Large dealer Larry Gagosian also noted that “collectors are taking their time,” but said his gallery “got off to a good start at the show and sales are strong.”
“People are interested in good things and the market feels like it’s coming back,” he added.
Here, we round up a series of noteworthy early sales reported by galleries at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024.