Shifting trends in the art market: Insights from the “Wet Paint” report
The art market is undergoing a profound transformation, as revealed in the “Wet Paint” report by ArtTactic created in collaboration with Artscapy. This marks the beginning of a new partnership aimed at providing art collectors and investors worldwide with transparency and data-driven insights. The report is designed to help you make informed decisions and navigate the art market with confidence.
Covering a decade of activity in the Post-War and Contemporary art markets, this comprehensive analysis of “wet paint” artworks - those sold at auction within three years of creation - sheds light on emerging trends, including increased gender parity, the cyclical nature of speculative sales, and the enduring appeal of sought-after artists.
The findings bring hints of a more equitable future for the art world, where, even if looked at through the lens of speculative behaviour, one can see indications of art being increasingly valued in the absence of biases pertaining to gender, age, and other demographic factors. The report also features a focused study on Abdoulaye Diarrassouba, or Aboudia as he’s more commonly known as, an artist significantly impacted by the "wet paint" trend, with a detailed analysis of his market developments.
The report is available to buy and download here. Create an account with Artscapy to read our highlights below and to receive a code for 10% off on the full report.
A positive shift toward gender parity
One of the report’s most eye-opening findings is the rising visibility and valuation of female artists, albeit in speculative sales. Female artists now account for 41.3% of the sales value among “wet paint” artists - those whose works are resold within three years of creation. This shift signals a significant departure from historical biases where male artists dominated speculative attention and pricing.
