> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qwaya · updated 2026-11-03

# Qwaya

## What is Qwaya’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 171 auction results for Qwaya at 2 houses since 2019. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,881 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,702–$2,572, n=12). The auction record is $9,227 for The Woman Playing the Cello (2022, K-Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Woman Playing the Cello, 2019 | Mixed media on canvas | $9,227 | K-Auction | Jan 2022 |
| 2 | Life and Death, 2020 | Oil on canvas | $8,409 | K-Auction | Dec 2021 |
| 3 | Between the Fireflies, 2021 | Oil on canvas | $6,134 | K-Auction | Mar 2022 |
| 4 | 만나다 (교집합), 2021 | Oil on canvas | $3,591 | K-Auction | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | 공허한 새벽, 2022 | Oil on canvas | $3,110 | K-Auction | Mar 2026 |
| 6 | 무엇이 가치 있는지를, 2022 | Oil on canvas | $3,110 | K-Auction | Mar 2026 |
| 7 | 어느 장맛날의 꿈, 2023 | Oil on canvas | $2,948 | K-Auction | Feb 2026 |
| 8 | 서서 책 읽는 소년, 2020 | Oil on canvas | $2,525 | K-Auction | Apr 2024 |
| 9 | 눈 덮인 곳에서, 2022 | Oil on canvas | $2,447 | K-Auction | Jan 2026 |
| 10 | 차창에 비친 모습을 바라보며, 2023 | Oil on canvas | $2,409 | K-Auction | Feb 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 22 | $2,222 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $2,151 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 171 results from 2 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Qwaya is a Korean artist with 196 auction lots recorded since 2019, median price $2,250. 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 Qwaya sold in 2026 for $3,110, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Qwaya work worth?

Across 171 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qwaya work is $2,250.

The median Qwaya painting sells for $3,110 across 89 lots.

The median Qwaya work on paper sells for $914 across 38 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Qwaya paintings typically sell for $1,997–$5,839 (the middle half of 75 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Qwaya work on papers typically sell for $407–$1,096 (the middle half of 37 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 | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 106 | $3,110†‡ | $45,481† | 84% | 2026-03-24 |
| Works on Paper | 44 | $914†‡ | $2,825‡ | 86.4% | 2026-04-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $15,652†‡ | $45,481† | — | 2022-07-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $605–$1,194†‡ | $1,080†‡ | $1,295† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 75 | $1,997–$5,839†‡ | $2,986†‡ | $45,481† |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $3,408–$6,034†‡ | $4,603†‡ | $10,515† |

† 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) | 37 | $407–$1,096†‡ | $909†‡ | $2,825‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $45,481† |
| Paintings | 2022 | $18,192‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $2,825‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $1,935† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

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 Qwaya worth?

Across 171 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Qwaya work is $2,250. The median Qwaya painting sells for $3,110 across 89 lots. The median Qwaya work on paper sells for $914 across 38 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Qwaya paintings typically sell for $1,997–$5,839 (the middle half of 75 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Qwaya work on papers typically sell for $407–$1,096 (the middle half of 37 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 Qwaya painting?

Based on 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qwaya painting is $3,110. 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 Qwaya's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qwaya painting is $45,481. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $45,481 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Qwaya work on paper?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Qwaya work on paper is $914. 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 Qwaya's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Qwaya work on paper is $2,825. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Qwaya painting?

Based on 75 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Qwaya painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,986, 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 Qwaya work on paper?

Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Qwaya work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $909, 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 Qwaya's auction record?

Qwaya's auction record is $45,481, set in 2022. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $45,481 (buyer's premium not included).

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Qwaya auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/qwaya (updated 2026-11-03).

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.