The highest-valued artists in South Africa in 2022 – with the top artist achieving almost $5 million in sales

South African art has gained significant popularity over the past decade, with a growing number of local and international collectors showing interest in South African artists’ unique styles and perspectives.

The popularity of South African art is the country’s rich cultural diversity. With a history shaped by colonialism, apartheid, and post-apartheid reconciliation, South African art reflects various influences and experiences.

This diversity is reflected in the range of mediums and styles used by South African artists, from traditional forms such as beadwork and woodcarving to contemporary techniques such as installation and performance art.

Another reason for the popularity of South African art is the country’s vibrant contemporary art scene. South Africa has produced several internationally recognized artists, such as William Kentridge and Marlene Dumas, who have gained widespread acclaim for their innovative and thought-provoking work.

In addition, the country has a thriving network of galleries, museums, and art festivals, which provide opportunities for local artists to showcase their work and connect with collectors.

The global art market has also played a role in the increased popularity of South African art. In recent years, there has been a trend towards including a greater diversity of voices and perspectives in the art world. South African art offers a fresh and unique perspective that resonates with collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

To highlight the exceptional performance of South African artists, MutualArt ranked the artists that have sold the most by country and that highlighted their exhibitions. MutualArt’s top five artists with the most sales from South Africa are listed below.

1. Irma Stern 

South African | 1894 – 1966

Irma Stern was a South African Impressionist & Modern painter born in 1894. In 2022, her works achieved sales of $4,862,502 (R85.8 million).

Her work is currently being displayed at venues like Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Port Elizabeth. Several galleries and museums, such as Norval Museum, have featured Irma Stern’s work in the past.

The record price for a Stern at auction is $4,945,671 (R87.3 million*) for Arab Priest, sold at Bonhams New Bond Street in 2011.

Irma Stern: Arab Preist (Picture: Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers)

2. William Kentridge

South African | 1955

William Kentridge is a South African Postwar & Contemporary artist born in 1955. In 2022, his works achieved sales of $4,689,667 (R82.8 million).

His work is currently being shown at multiple venues like The Broad in Los Angeles and was exhibited at Hauser & Wirth, Gstaad, on December 17, 2022, among other locations. Several galleries and museums such as PalaisPopulaire by Deutsche Bank, have featured William Kentridge’s work in the past.

The record price for a Kentridge at auction is $1,538,500 (R27 million*) for PROCESSION, sold at Sotheby’s New York in 2013.

William Kentridge: PROCESSION (Picture: Sotheby’s)

3. Marlene Dumas

South African | 1953

Marlene Dumas is a South African Postwar & Contemporary artist born in 1953. In 2022, her works achieved sales of $4,244,564 (R74.9 million).

Her work is currently being shown at multiple venues like Fondation Beyeler in Basel. Several galleries and museums, such as Albertina Museum, have featured Marlene Dumas’s work in the past.

The record price for a Dumas is $6,331,884 (R111.7 million*) for The Visitor, sold at Sotheby’s London in 2008.

Marlene Dumas: The Visitor (Picture: Sotheby’s)

4. Jacob Hendrik Pierneef

South African | 1886 – 1957

Jacob Hendrik Pierneef was a South African artist who was born in 1886. In 2022, his works achieved sales of $3,101,791 (R54.7 million).

Several galleries and museums, such as Standard Bank Gallery, have featured Jacob Hendrik Pierneef’s work in the past. Jacob Hendrik Pierneef’s work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 58 USD to 1,612,608 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork.

The record price for a Pierneef at auction is $1,612,608 (R28 million*) for Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond, Stellenbosch, sold at Strauss & Co, Johannesburg, in 2017.

Jacob Hendrik Pierneef: Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond (Picture: Strauss & Co)

5. Alexis Preller

South African | 1911 – 1975

Alexis Preller was a South African painter who was born in 1911. In 2022,  his works sales of $1,041,452 (R18.4 million).

His work is currently being shown at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Port Elizabeth. Several galleries and museums, such as SMAC Art Gallery, Johannesburg, have featured Alexis Preller’s work in the past.

The record price for a Preller at auction is $1,215,296 (R21 million*) for The Garden of Eden, sold at Bonhams New Bond Street in 2011.

Alexis Preller: The Garden of Eden (Picture: Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers)

* The record prices at auction were converted using the rand/dollar exchange rate as of 19 December 2022.

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