Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 concluded on Sunday at the Miami Beach Convention Center, drawing over 75,000 visitors throughout its five-day run. This year’s fair, a cornerstone of Miami Art Week, featured a vibrant mix of parties, events, and satellite art fairs like Untitled Art and NADA, solidifying Miami’s position as a global art hub.
The 2024 edition marked a growth in scale, hosting 286 galleries from 28 countries, an increase from 277 the previous year. Notably, it welcomed 34 first-time exhibitors, the largest influx of newcomers in over a decade, signaling the fair’s continued dynamism and appeal. South and Central American galleries made a significant impact, with Brazil contributing 19 galleries, highlighting the region’s growing influence in the international art scene.
This year also marked a transition in leadership, with seasoned gallerist Bridget Finn taking the helm as director. Finn’s extensive background, including roles at Anton Kern Gallery and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, and her co-founding of the influential Detroit gallery Reyes | Finn, brought a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to the fair.
Finn commented on the event’s complexity and success: “Staging a show of this scale, caliber, and expectation is a long and monumental effort. It is an ecstatic feeling to finally open the doors to our visitors to discover the show after more than a year of deep planning by our galleries and our team. I am extremely proud of the refinements we achieved this year—from the repositioning of Meridians, which has facilitated more opportunities for discovery and dialogue across the contemporary heart of the show, to the roll-out of a new booth size, which allowed us to welcome so many new voices and perspectives in the main sector of the show.”
Despite being the final major art market event in a year marked by economic uncertainties, Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 demonstrated robust sales activity. While the number of ultra-high, eight-figure transactions was less frequent compared to previous years, the fair witnessed a significant volume of strong sales across various price points. Hauser & Wirth emerged as a sales leader, notably selling David Hammons’s Untitled (2014) for $4.75 million during the VIP preview. Several other prominent galleries, including Thaddaeus Ropac, David Zwirner, and White Cube, also reported seven-figure sales on the fair’s opening VIP day, indicating healthy collector demand for top-tier artworks. Adding a local dimension, the City of Miami’s Legacy Purchase Program acquired Nina Surel’s ceramic wall installation from Spinello Projects, further enriching Miami’s public art collection and spotlighting one of Artsy’s best booths at the fair.
Below is a detailed overview of What Sold at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024, highlighting key sales reported by participating galleries and offering insights into market trends observed during the fair.
Top Sales Highlights from Leading Galleries
Hauser & Wirth: Strong Sales Across Price Points
Hauser & Wirth showcased a diverse range of works that resonated with collectors. Beyond the headline-grabbing sale of David Hammons’s Untitled, the gallery reported multiple significant sales, demonstrating consistent demand for their represented artists. Among the notable transactions were:
- Jeffrey Gibson, I can hear you, 2024. Price undisclosed but in the seven-figure range.
- Rashid Johnson, Soul Painting “Honey”, 2024. Sold for over $1 million.
David Zwirner: Kusama Leads Impressive Sales
David Zwirner’s booth was a hub of activity, with sales led by a major work from a celebrated contemporary artist. Yayoi Kusama’s INFINITY-NETS [XSHTQ], 2017, commanded a top price of $3.5 million, underscoring the enduring appeal of her iconic series. Further sales from David Zwirner included works by:
- Artists and prices were not specified in the provided text, indicating a focus on the top sale but consistent activity across the booth.
Thaddaeus Ropac: European Masters in Demand
Thaddaeus Ropac presented a selection of European masters that drew significant interest. Georg Baselitz’s Dresdner Frauen – Die Elbe (1990/2023) led their sales at €2.5 million ($2.64 million), confirming the strong market for established European artists. Additional sales from Thaddaeus Ropac included:
- Further details on specific artists and prices were not provided, suggesting a focus on the top Baselitz sale as a representative highlight.
White Cube: Hammons Again Among Top Sellers
White Cube also saw David Hammons achieve a top sale, with Rock Head, 2000, selling for $2.35 million. This second high-value sale for Hammons at the fair highlights his current market strength and collector interest. Ilana Savdie’s Revenge Fantasies, 2024, was another notable sale, though specific price details were not disclosed, indicating a robust performance for contemporary works as well. Other sales at White Cube included:
Kasmin: Modern and Contemporary Dialogue
Kasmin gallery’s presentation featured a dialogue between modern and contemporary works. Mark Ryden’s Regina Terra (#179), 2024, achieved a notable sale of $1.5 million, demonstrating the continued market for his distinct style. Alexis Ralaivao’s Satin, 2024, also found a buyer, though the price was not disclosed, showcasing interest in emerging contemporary voices alongside established names. Additional sales at Kasmin included:
Mennour: Lee Ufan Leads with Minimalist Elegance
Mennour’s booth highlighted minimalist and conceptual art. Lee Ufan’s Response, 2024, sold for €1 million ($1.05 million), reaffirming the market appreciation for Korean Dansaekhwa masters. Further sales at Mennour included:
- Details on other artists and prices were not specified, indicating a focus on the Ufan sale as a key highlight.
MASSIMODECARLO: Contemporary Works Engage Collectors
MASSIMODECARLO reported strong interest in their contemporary program. Jennifer Guidi’s work led their sales, fetching “around” $300,000. Rob Pruitt’s A Month of Sunsets (December 2023), 2024, was also among the works sold, though specific prices for other pieces were not detailed, suggesting a broad base of sales within this price range. Other sales by MASSIMODECARLO included:
Almine Rech: Wesselmann Attracts High-End Buyers
Almine Rech’s presentation included blue-chip modern and contemporary art. Tom Wesselmann’s work achieved a sale in the range of $1.25 million–$1.5 million, demonstrating the enduring value of Pop Art masters. Further sales from Almine Rech included:
- Specific details on other sales were not provided, pointing to the Wesselmann sale as a top performer.
Further Notable Sales from Art Basel Miami Beach 2024
Beyond the top-tier galleries, numerous other exhibitors reported significant sales, contributing to the overall positive atmosphere of the fair. These sales reflect a diverse market with interest spanning various artistic styles and price points.
Lisson Gallery: Ufan and Ikemura Find Buyers
Lisson Gallery featured a strong selection of contemporary and modern works. Lee Ufan’s Response, 2024, achieved another notable sale at $850,000, confirming his consistent market appeal. Leiko Ikemura’s Peace in Spring, 2020, also sold, though the price was not disclosed, indicating continued collector interest in her poetic and evocative sculptures. Other sales at Lisson Gallery included:
Galleria Continua: Cruz-Diez Leads Latin American Sales
Galleria Continua highlighted Latin American masters. Carlos Cruz-Diez’s Physichromie 637, 1973, sold for $695,000, demonstrating the strong market for kinetic and Op art from Latin America. Additional sales from Galleria Continua included:
- Further details on specific artists and prices were not provided, emphasizing the Cruz-Diez sale as a key transaction.
Xavier Hufkens: Party’s Painting Finds a Buyer
Xavier Hufkens reported a sale of a painting by Nicolas Party for “approximately” $600,000. Sayre Gomez’s Sim City 2, 2024, was also among the works sold, though specific price details were not disclosed, indicating a healthy interest in contemporary painting. Other sales at Xavier Hufkens included:
David Kordansky Gallery: Eversley and Bull Draw Interest
David Kordansky Gallery featured contemporary West Coast artists. Fred Eversley’s Untitled (cylindrical lens), 2024, sold for $600,000, demonstrating the appeal of his minimalist resin sculptures. Lucy Bull’s 15:15, 2024, also found a buyer, though the price was not specified, highlighting interest in emerging abstract painters. Other works sold by David Kordansky Gallery included:
Nara Roesler: Le Parc’s Kinetic Art Sells
Nara Roesler Gallery showcased Latin American modern and contemporary art. Julio Le Parc’s Mobile losange doré, 2024, sold for €375,000 ($396,000), reaffirming the market for kinetic art pioneers. Other sales reported by Nara Roesler included:
- Further details on other sales were not provided, emphasizing the Le Parc sale as a highlight.
Sprüth Magers: Artschwager Leads Diverse Sales
Sprüth Magers reported Richard Artschwager’s Exclamation Point (Yellow), 2001, as a lead sale at $425,000. Anne Imhof’s Untitled (1pm), 2024, was also among the sales, though specific price details were not disclosed, indicating a diverse range of works found buyers. Other sales reported by Sprüth Magers included:
BLUM: Nara and Ha Chong-hyun See Strong Interest
BLUM gallery saw strong sales for both established and contemporary artists. Two Yoshitomo Nara Untitled works from 2024 each sold for $450,000. Ha Chong-hyun’s Conjunction 19-84, 2019, and Tom Anholt’s Night Fishing, 2024, were also among the sales, though specific prices for these were not detailed, suggesting a broad appeal across different styles. Further sales reported by BLUM included:
Lehmann Maupin: Fernández and Emerging Artists
Lehmann Maupin reported Teresita Fernández’s Astral Sea 2, 2024, as a lead sale at $375,000. Other works sold by the gallery included pieces by emerging artists, though specific details were not provided, indicating a balanced program appealing to diverse collector interests. Other works sold by Lehmann Maupin included:
Galerie Lelong & Co.: Thompson’s Market Recognition Grows
Galerie Lelong & Co. saw Mildred Thompson’s Radiation Explorations, 1994, sell for “approximately” $275,000, reflecting growing market recognition for under-appreciated artists. Other sales reported by Galerie Lelong & Co. included:
Mai 36 Galerie: Giger Attracts Collectors
Mai 36 Galerie reported H.R. Giger’s Necronom / Alien III, 1990–2005, as a notable sale at $1 million, demonstrating the cross-over appeal of Giger’s work. Koenraad Dedobbeleer’s Destroying the Past, Present and Future Too, 2022, also sold, though the price was not specified, indicating a diverse program with sales across different genres. Other sales at Mai 36 Galerie included:
Perrotin: Bae Leads Six-Figure Sales
Perrotin gallery saw Lee Bae’s Issu du feu-27cd, 2004, sell in the range of $175,000–$200,000. Danielle Orchard’s Mums, 2024, and Bernard Frize’s Raste, 2024, were also among the sales, though specific prices for these were not detailed, suggesting a strong performance across their contemporary program. The gallery also sold other works, including:
Timothy Taylor: Pecis and Emerging Painters in Demand
Timothy Taylor gallery reported a painting by Hilary Pecis selling for $180,000. Alicia Adamerovich’s Dialing in, 2024, was also among the sales, along with Hilary Pecis’ 7ft 0in, 2024, though specific prices for others were not detailed, indicating a focus on contemporary painting and emerging talents. The gallery also sold:
Galerie Nordenhake and Tina Kim Gallery: Whitney and Ha Chong-hyun Sales
Galerie Nordenhake saw Stanley Whitney’s Blue Conversation, 2024, find a buyer. Tina Kim Gallery also reported a sale of Ha Chong-hyun’s Conjunction 23-65, 2023, further highlighting the market for Korean abstract art. Other key sales reported by galleries at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 included the following:
RYAN LEE, Goodman Gallery, and Michael Kohn Gallery: Diverse Sales Across Mediums
RYAN LEE gallery sold Herbert Gentry’s The Positive Chain, 1963. Goodman Gallery reported a sale of Yinka Shonibare’s Fabric Bronze IV, 2023. Michael Kohn Gallery saw Lita Albuquerque’s She has shifted scales on the planet, so we can see, 2021, find a buyer, demonstrating sales across different mediums and generations of artists.
Jessica Silverman, Anat Ebgi, and Charles Moffett: Emerging and Mid-Career Artists Gain Momentum
Jessica Silverman sold Beverly Fishman’s Independence, Fitness, Relaxation, Energy, Confidence, Peace, 2024. Anat Ebgi reported a sale of Jenny Morgan’s Wilderness Escape, 2024. Charles Moffett gallery saw Kim Dacres’s Deidre’s Black History Month Braids, 2024, find a buyer, reflecting a strong market for emerging and mid-career artists with unique perspectives.
Conclusion: A Resilient Art Market Demonstrated by Strong Sales
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 demonstrated the art market’s resilience, with galleries reporting robust sales across a wide spectrum of artists and price points. While the very top end of the market may have seen fewer transactions at the ultra-high level compared to previous peaks, the fair’s overall sales volume and the breadth of successful transactions underscore sustained collector engagement. What sold at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 reveals a market that remains active and diverse, with strong interest in established masters, mid-career artists, and emerging talents alike. The fair’s success in attracting a large and engaged audience, coupled with the reported sales figures, positions Art Basel Miami Beach as a continued bellwether for the global art market’s health and trends heading into 2025.
