> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/gillian-wearing · updated 2026-11-02

# Gillian Wearing (b. 1963)

## What is Gillian Wearing’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 41 auction results for Gillian Wearing at 12 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $770–$9,245, n=6). The auction record is $98,995 for Signs that Say What You Want Them to Say and Not Signs that Say What Someone Else Wants You to Say (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signs that Say What You Want Them to Say and Not Signs that Say What Someone Else Wants You to Say, 1994 | C-print mounted on aluminium, in twelve parts | $98,995 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 2 | Self-Portrait at 17 Years Old, 2003 | Chromogenic print in artist's frame | $63,000 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 3 | Self-Portrait, 2000 | C-print | $59,227 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | Untitled (Everything in Life...) Untitled (Save What You Can...) Untitled (I'm Desperate...) Untitled (I Have Been Certified...) from signs that say what you want them to say and not signs that say what someone else wants you to say, 1992-1993 | Color | $50,400 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 5 | Self Portrait, 2000 | Hand coloring | $43,153 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 6 | Self Portrait at 17 Years Old, 2003 | Hand coloring | $43,018 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 7 | People | Bromide print | $32,760 | Phillips | Apr 2022 |
| 8 | Self-portrait, 2000 | Hand coloring | $30,511 | Phillips | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | Me as Arbus, 2008 | Cartes-de-visite | $25,200 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 10 | Selected Images from Signs that Say What You Want Them to Say and Not Signs that Say What Someone Else Wants You to Say, 1992-1993 | Five unique chromogenic prints | $25,200 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 17 | $18,060 |
| Other | 10 | $11,726 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $30,511 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,425 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $1,071 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 41 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Gillian Wearing is a British (modern) artist with 54 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $4,688. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Gillian Wearing sold in 2026 for $18,060, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Gillian Wearing work worth?

Across 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gillian Wearing work is $4,688.

The median Gillian Wearing photograph sells for $11,482 across 21 lots.

The median Gillian Wearing sculpture sells for $1,665 across 7 lots.

The median Gillian Wearing print sells for $793 across 7 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 7 | $793‡ | $32,760 | — | 2025-05-22 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $25,912 | $50,400 | — | 2023-09-20 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $1,665‡ | $98,995 | 87.5% | 2024-09-14 |
| Photography | 26 | $11,482 | $63,000 | 80.8% | 2026-05-21 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,145–$7,008‡ | $1,665‡ | $98,995 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $805–$10,852 | $1,046 | $63,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $21,204–$36,832 | $25,200 | $59,227 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $98,995 |
| Photography | 2022 | $63,000 |
| Photography | 2022 | $59,227 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $50,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $32,760 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $8,639 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $1,425 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,260 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Gillian Wearing worth?

Across 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gillian Wearing work is $4,688. The median Gillian Wearing photograph sells for $11,482 across 21 lots. The median Gillian Wearing sculpture sells for $1,665 across 7 lots. The median Gillian Wearing print sells for $793 across 7 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Gillian Wearing photograph?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gillian Wearing photograph is $11,482.

### What is Gillian Wearing's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Gillian Wearing photograph is $63,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Gillian Wearing photograph?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Gillian Wearing photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,046, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Gillian Wearing's auction record?

Gillian Wearing's auction record is $98,995, set in 2023.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Gillian Wearing auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/gillian-wearing (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.