Chinese have a very long and rich history, tradition and culture, and this time we look into the 10 Most Expensive Chinese Artists in 2015. Chinese art, according to many sources, has the oldest continuous tradition in the world. It is incredibly special and authentic because it hasn’t been influenced, over the course of years, by Western art and classical styles. The Chinese nation is among the richest in the world, featured in our list of 10 Richest Countries in the World by 2015 GDP.
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Each ruler with his dynasty has brought something new to the Chinese art, and it is truly a marvelous experience seeing these paintings, portraits, ornaments and sculptures, and how they have changed and developed in history. Today, we will give you an insight about the most expensive Chinese artists in 2015, based on their most expensive work of art, sold at auction. Even though the United States hold the 1st spot as the largest market for the sale of fine art by value,Chinese hold the 2nd position. Chinese Artists have gathered a staggering $4.3 billion in sales for last year, making them a force to be reckoned with.
10. Shen Yaoyi
Shen Yaoyi has earned his 10th spot in our list with his work: “Revolution Tops All” (1975-1976), which was sold at China Guardian Auctions Co., Ltd. On May 15, 2012. And not for a small amount, he sold it for $6,368,368. Shen was born in Shanghai in 1943 and he’s known for having broken many records in sales.
9. Yue Minjun
In 9th place stands Yue Minjun, with his “Gweong-Gweong”, a work of art dating back to 1993, and sold 15 years later at Christie’s Hong Kong on May 24, for $6,932,517. Mr. Minjun was born in Heilongjiang, China, in 1962 and is often classified as part of the “Cynical Realist” movement, but he rejects that label.
8. Luo Zhongli
The “Spring Silkworm” (1983) is the work of art that got Luo Zhongli into 8th place. The painting was sold at Poly International Auction Co., Ltd. On June 1, 2014 for $6,994,462. Luo was born in Chongqing in 1948, and to this day he’s one of the country’s leading realist painters.
7. Fang Lijun
The artist holding the 7th spot, was born in Handan, Hebei Province, China in 1963. He was born in a wealthy family, and later became a member of the Cynical Realism movement that we mentioned earlier. His most expensive painting is “Series 2 No. 4” (1992), sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on October 5, 2014, for $7,664,849.
6. Liu Xiaodong
Liu Xiaodong has earned his place among the 10 Most Expensive Chinese Artists in 2015 with his “Disobeying the Rules” (1996) painting, which was sold at the same auction as the one above, at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, on October 5, 2014, for a tremendous amount of $8,530,818. Liu Xiaodong, a contemporary Chinese artist, was born in Liaoning in 1963.
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5. Cai Guo-Qiang
The man holding the 5th place in our list is a citizen of New York, born in Quanzhou, Fujian, China in 1957. As most of the artists we have here, he is part of the contemporary art movement, and is here thanks to his “Drawing for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation” (2002), sold at Christie’s Hong Kong in 2007, for $9,545,957.
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4. Zhang Xiaogang
Ranked in 4th place is a contemporary Chinese symbolist and surrealist painter. Zhang Xiaogang was born in the city of Kunming, China, 1958 and was taught how to draw by his mother, as an activity to keep him out of trouble. His most expensive work yet is “Bloodline: Big Family No. 3” (1995), sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on April 5 2014 for an unbelievable $12,144,809.
3. Jin Shangyi
The 3rd place goes to Jin Shangyi, who broke into the top 3 with his “Tajik Bride” (1983), that was sold at China Guardian Auctions on November 16, 2013, for $13,967,306. Jin was born in Jiaozuo, China, in 1934. He is a doctoral supervisor and professor of the CAFA, and an honorable president of Chinese Artists Association, and currently lives in Beijing,
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2. Zeng Fanzhi
In runner-up position stands one of the best contemporary artists of all time. Zeng Fanzhi’s paintings are known for their emotional directness and psychological sense. He is a true master of his profession, and he has earned his place here with his painting of “The Last Supper” (2001), which was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on October 5, 2013, for an incredible amount of $23,269,070.
1. Cui Ruzhuo
Despite the fact that Cui Ruzhuo is less known and popular than some of the artists mentioned above, he holds the record and first place in the 10 Most Expensive Chinese Artists in 2015. He is famous for his ink-wash painting style, and his ultra-successful work of art, “Landscape in Snow” (2006), sold at Poly Auction in Hong Kong on April 7, 2014, for $23,725,710. Whether you are an art lover, or not, this magnificent painting will leave you speechless.
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