Investing in the Future: Emerging Artists to Watch

This selection brings together works by some of the most exciting emerging artists currently represented by forward-thinking galleries. While investing in early-career artists naturally carries some risk, these particular names have been making significant strides, building strong momentum through key exhibitions, growing collector interest, and critical recognition. Their trajectories suggest real potential for long-term value, making them compelling additions to any contemporary collection.

Madeleine Bialke’s Hook & Eye showcases her distinctive take on landscape painting—rich, atmospheric, and almost otherworldly. Her work has been steadily gaining recognition, with collectors drawn to her luminous colour palette and surreal compositions. Bialke is currently part of Newchild’s exhibition at No. 9 Cork Street, Frieze’s influential gallery space in London, a major platform for international contemporary art. This inclusion further underscores her rising profile and the strong institutional support behind her practice.

Anthony Cudahy’s Glimmering on the land demonstrates his ability to fuse figuration with an almost cinematic glow. His paintings often explore memory and intimacy, resonating deeply with collectors. Cudahy has been featured in major art publications, with critics praising the depth of his narratives and his delicate handling of light and form. His recent solo exhibitions have solidified his market appeal, and his work has been performing well at auction. Notably, his work "The Gate" (2018), an oil on canvas measuring 60 x 72 inches, sold for $88,200 at Phillips New York in May 2022, setting a record price for the artist at auction. These results indicate a strong and growing demand, further positioning him as a key figure in contemporary figurative painting.

Gioele Amaro’s Rosetti’s Lipstick reflects his fascination with digital aesthetics, blending technology and fine art in a way that feels both futuristic and painterly. He is represented by Almine Rech and held his fourth solo exhibition with the gallery in London in 2024, a significant milestone that reaffirms his market position. His secondary market presence is also expanding, with works such as Tired Water Lilies (2021) achieving strong results at Sotheby’s Contemporary Discovery Auction in 2024. As collectors continue to seek out artists working at the intersection of digital and traditional media, Amaro’s trajectory looks increasingly promising.

Rae Klein’s I Can’t Even carries her signature sense of quiet tension and ambiguity. Her psychologically charged paintings have been gaining traction, particularly among younger collectors who are drawn to her moody, enigmatic style. Klein’s work has been featured in key exhibitions at influential galleries, including Nicodim Gallery in Los Angeles and Galerie Max Hetzler in Berlin. She has also seen a 25% increase in her Artsy following compared to the same time last year, an indicator of rising collector interest and growing demand for her work. With momentum continuing to build, her market position is becoming increasingly established.

Sola Olulode’s All I Want to Do is Lay with You offers a tender portrayal of queer intimacy and community. Her work celebrates Black identity, womanhood, and non-binary experiences through a distinctive use of gestural brushwork and vibrant colour palettes. Additionally, she participated in the group exhibition Dreaming of Home at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in New York, curated by Gemma Rolls-Bentley, which focused on queer and trans domestic life. These significant exhibitions, coupled with increasing collector interest, suggest a promising trajectory for Olulode's career.

While still early in their careers, these artists are making all the right moves—securing exhibitions, building their markets, and developing strong, recognisable practices. For collectors looking to invest in the next generation of contemporary talent, these works present a considered yet exciting