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

# Karen Finley (1956–2015)

## What is Karen Finley’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 9 auction results for Karen Finley at 4 houses since 2020. Over the last 24 months the median price was $396 including buyer’s premium (middle half $192–$912, n=6). The auction record is $2,000 for Untitled (Owl, I'm just not attracted to...) (from the X-Rated Pooh series) (2021, Los Angeles Modern Auctions). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (Owl, I'm just not attracted to...) (from the X-Rated Pooh series), 1996 | Graphite | $2,000 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | May 2021 |
| 2 | Untitled (from the Winnie the Pooh series), 1996 | Graphite | $1,134 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | The psychological profile of the 100 acre wood, 1997 | Ink | $1,016 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | A Priestess with her Familiars | Mixed media on paper | $600 | Clars Auction Gallery | Jul 2025 |
| 5 | Remembrance | Wooden box, sand | $192 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2026 |
| 6 | Remembrance | Wooden box, sand | $192 | Rago Arts | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | I Was Not Expected to Be Talented | Mixed media on paper | $128 | Capsule Gallery Auction | Jan 2025 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (Execution of Saddam Hussein) | Ink on paper (14 sheets from an original suite of 18) notes and installation instructions verso | $488 | Capsule Gallery Auction | May 2020 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 6 | $808 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $488 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 9 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karen Finley is an American artist with 12 auction lots recorded since 2019, median price $544.

A work by Karen Finley sold in 2025 for $600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Karen Finley work worth?

Across 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karen Finley work is $544.

The median Karen Finley work on paper sells for $808 across 6 lots.

The median Karen Finley photograph sells for $192 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 6 | $808 | $2,000 | — | 2025-07-18 |
| Photography | 1 | $192 | $192 | — | 2026-06-18 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $488–$1,134 | $1,016 | $2,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $2,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,134 |
| Photography | 2026 | $192 |

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 Karen Finley worth?

Across 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karen Finley work is $544. The median Karen Finley work on paper sells for $808 across 6 lots. The median Karen Finley photograph sells for $192 across 1 lots.

### What is Karen Finley's auction record?

Karen Finley's auction record is $2,000, set in 2021.

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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, “Karen Finley auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karen-finley (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.