The Week in Prints: 14th - 20th October 2024

Tracey Emin stirred conversation this week with her bold remarks on The Louis Theroux Podcast, where she mused that Damien Hirst may have passed his creative peak. Emin suggested that male artists often reach their artistic zenith in their 40s, hinting that Hirst, now in his late 50s, could be creatively plateauing. Her comment opens a broader discussion about the longevity of contemporary artists whose work initially shocked and defined a generation, but now seem to be inspired by more commercial endeavours.

Hirst, a former YBA among Emin's ranks and more recently known for his collaborations with HENI, continues to command attention in the market, but Emin’s critique may resonate with those questioning whether his latest work holds the same cultural weight as his earlier, more provocative pieces. The exchange between these two giants of the UK art scene not only provides insight into their personal perspectives but also touches on the evolving dynamics of fame, relevance, and legacy in an ever-competitive industry.

Luxury brand Dom Pérignon has once again fused fine art with fine wine, releasing a limited edition series of its 2015 vintage Brut Champagne in partnership with the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. This collection, inspired by Basquiat’s 1983 painting In Italian, continues the brand’s tradition of collaborating with leading contemporary artists, following successful collections paying homage to Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons.

The three-part coffret series, priced at $350, features Basquiat’s signature three-pointed crown symbol, which evokes themes of power and rebellion central to his work. As collectors scramble to obtain these limited bottles, Dom Pérignon’s strategy of blending household names in the art world with luxury consumer goods reflects a broader trend in the market: making art more accessible, albeit at a premium, while drawing in collectors who may typically engage with luxury fashion and lifestyle brands. For both Basquiat collectors and champagne connoisseurs, this collaboration unites the legacy of an iconic artist with the prestige of one of the world’s most celebrated champagne houses.

As the market for high-ticket contemporary artworks faces challenges, leading galleries such as Gagosian are increasingly tapping into high-end retail as a way to diversify revenue streams. Gagosian’s recent collaboration with the estate of British abstract painter Howard Hodgkin introduced artist-inspired homewares - everything from cushions and plates to limited-edition prints - sold alongside original paintings in its London boutique. This move reflects a larger trend where galleries are expanding their offerings to include more affordable, collectible items, in hopes of attracting a wider range of buyers.

The Howard Hodgkin Home line, launched with much fanfare in September, is part of an ongoing strategy by Gagosian to blur the lines between luxury retail and fine art, offering an entry point for new collectors. With art sales softening for big-ticket items, these lower-cost yet artist-branded products present an opportunity for galleries to maintain financial stability while broadening their audience.

Ed Ruscha’s 1964 painting Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half is anticipated to sell for over $50 million at Christie’s upcoming autumn auction, potentially breaking the artist’s previous auction record. Ruscha’s Standard Station series, based on his observations during road trips through the American West, has become iconic, particularly his depictions of gas stations, which capture both the commercial and cultural landscapes of mid-century America.

If the sale surpasses expectations, this could trigger increased demand for Ruscha’s Standard Station prints, which already achieved significant results last year. His ability to capture the Americana of the 1960s resonates deeply with collectors, and as his large-scale paintings fetch higher prices, his editioned prints may follow suit.

Avant Arte continues its mission to democratise art collecting with the release of new time-limited editions by celebrated artists Ai Weiwei and Grayson Perry. Weiwei’s To Be Looked At…, a commentary on modern surveillance culture, takes the form of aluminium sculptures resembling CCTV cameras, available for £1,867. Meanwhile, Perry’s new silkscreen print Magical Thinking, priced at £849, draws inspiration from traditional Russian folk art and historical painting, offering a playful yet critical reflection on how we construct reality.

These time-limited editions have generated significant buzz among collectors, as they offer an accessible way to own works by major contemporary artists. The growth of platforms like Avant Arte is indicative of a broader trend in the art world, where technology and limited-edition releases are making accessible works by household names available to a wider, global audience that appeals to the next generation of collectors.