Why is some art so expensive? The $63 billion art market, explained.

Vox (10/31/2018)
  • The vast majority of global art sales ($63.7 Billion, 2017) goes to collectors selling old works (secondary market) instead of living artists.
  • Art worth $10 million+ accounts for 32% of global sales, yet only 0.2% of artists have sold work worth that much.
  • Emerging artists are lucky to sell works for $10K.
  • Art fairs put financial pressure on small galleries more likely to showcase living artists’ work.
  • Art valuations largely derive from prevailing disposable wealth.