Nam June Paik (1932–2006)
What is Nam June Paik’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 339 auction results for Nam June Paik at 54 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,795 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,480–$29,927, n=32). The auction record is $578,721 for Alexander the Great (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander the Great, 1993 | Glass | $578,721 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | TV is Kitsch, 1996 | 13 wood tv cabinets, 2 DVD players, two 5" TVs, four 9" TV's, seven 13", TV's 2 channel Paik original video | $542,317 | Christie's | May 2011 |
| 3 | Marshall McLuhan, 1991 | Mixed media | $531,185 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 4 | Wright Brothers, 1995 | Mixed media | $474,587 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 5 | Captain Ahab, 1990 | Acrylic on TV cabinets and sets, harpoon, telescope, wood and metal fish, with laser disc players | $441,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 6 | Baby Buddha, 2001 | Mixed media | $426,801 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 7 | I Ching 36, 1991 | Aluminium | $398,523 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 8 | Rocketship to Virtual Venus, 1991 | Aluminium framework, 36 Samsung 13 in. TVs (model TL31 46M), neon tubes, 3 laserdiscs, 3 laserdisc players, 3 master tapes, wooden ornaments, wire, 4 multiple | $372,277 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 9 | Route 66, 1993 | Mixed media sculpture | $361,144 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 10 | Baby Buddha, mixed media and video installation, 2001 | Mixed media & video installation | $352,949 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 33 | $81,542 |
| Other | 78 | $36,712 |
| Paintings | 21 | $18,621 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $3,126 |
| Prints | 67 | $1,507 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 46 | $137,627 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 91 | $9,450 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 59 | $3,993 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 339 results from 54 houses · How we compute these figures
Nam June Paik is a South Korean artist with 437 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $3,098. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Nam June Paik sold in 2026 for $128,592, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Nam June Paik work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Nam June Paik free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Nam June Paik record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nam June Paik on OpeningBid →What is a Nam June Paik work worth?
Across 337 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nam June Paik work is $3,098.
The median Nam June Paik print sells for $1,124 across 139 lots.
The median Nam June Paik sculpture sells for $31,142 across 46 lots.
The median Nam June Paik work on paper sells for $2,039 across 24 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Nam June Paik prints typically sell for $761–$1,805 (the middle half of 79 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Nam June Paik prints typically sell for $722–$2,380 (the middle half of 52 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 158 | $1,124†‡ | $33,878‡ | 88% | 2026-06-24 |
| Paintings | 18 | $23,940†‡ | $111,513 | 94.4% | 2026-02-28 |
| Works on Paper | 38 | $2,039†‡ | $12,883 | 63.2% | 2026-03-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 50 | $31,142‡ | $578,721 | 92% | 2025-09-25 |
| Photography | 11 | $1,105‡ | $12,882 | 90.9% | 2026-05-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 39 | $221,000‡ | $578,721 | — | 2026-06-10 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Nam June Paik's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (158 lots) median $1,124 with 88% sell-through. Paintings (18 lots) median $23,940, record $111,513. A typical Nam June Paik painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 39 lots) the median is $221,000.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $722–$2,380†‡ | $1,044†‡ | $33,878‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 79 | $761–$1,805†‡ | $1,175†‡ | $15,120 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,800–$17,994† | $9,859† | $23,940 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $15,996–$31,241‡ | $26,157‡ | $34,445 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $1,502–$2,884†‡ | $2,039†‡ | $12,883 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,479–$2,500 | $2,473 | $3,360 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $2,442–$58,556‡ | $22,793‡ | $110,910 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $13,664–$33,394‡ | $21,074‡ | $120,879 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $122,787–$288,000 | $189,179 | $578,721 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $578,721 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $398,523 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $111,513 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $56,625 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $33,878‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $24,074‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $12,883 |
| Photography | 2026 | $12,882 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nam June Paik worth?
Across 337 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nam June Paik work is $3,098. The median Nam June Paik print sells for $1,124 across 139 lots. The median Nam June Paik sculpture sells for $31,142 across 46 lots. The median Nam June Paik work on paper sells for $2,039 across 24 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Nam June Paik prints typically sell for $761–$1,805 (the middle half of 79 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Nam June Paik prints typically sell for $722–$2,380 (the middle half of 52 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Nam June Paik print?
Based on 139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam June Paik print is $1,124. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam June Paik's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam June Paik print is $33,878. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Nam June Paik sculpture?
Based on 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam June Paik sculpture is $31,142. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Nam June Paik's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam June Paik sculpture is $578,721.
What is the average price of a Nam June Paik work on paper?
Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nam June Paik work on paper is $2,039. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam June Paik's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Nam June Paik work on paper is $12,883.
What is the average price of a medium Nam June Paik print?
Based on 79 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nam June Paik print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,175, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a small Nam June Paik print?
Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Nam June Paik print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,044, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Nam June Paik's auction record?
Nam June Paik's auction record is $578,721, set in 2018.
See the full Nam June Paik record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Nam June Paik on OpeningBid →