Chinese Auction Houses See Record Sales for Young Artists Amid Market Shifts
The market for ultra-contemporary Chinese artists, particularly those born after 1990, is experiencing significant changes. In the first half of 2025, auction houses in mainland China and Hong Kong recorded high-premium transactions, indicating renewed activity among local collectors. Notable sales include Wei Yixin’s 'Flowers at Sunrise' and Tan Yongqing’s 'Mother of Intelligence', which sold for significantly above their estimates. The market is moving away from short-term speculation towards a more structured and sustainable phase, with a focus on stratified pricing and a wider transactional landscape. This shift is evident in the increased stability of mid-price transactions, which are not solely reliant on headline-grabbing sales. 
