Theaster Gates (b. 1973)
What is Theaster Gates’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 89 auction results for Theaster Gates at 17 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $25,400 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,426–$55,880, n=19). The auction record is $763,195 for Dirty Red (2021, Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dirty Red | — | $763,195 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Jun 2021 |
| 2 | Dirty Red, 2016 | Installation | $763,195 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | Resolution 3: Get to Know the Frankfurt School, 2013 | Mixed media installation | $400,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 4 | From time to time these Hot Days get Lonely, 2011 | Panel | $381,262 | Phillips | Oct 2025 |
| 5 | In The Event of a Race Riot, 2011 | Glass | $378,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2022 |
| 6 | For Race Riots and Salon Gatherings, 2011 | Glass | $370,964 | Christie's | Feb 2015 |
| 7 | Ground Rules (White Stars), 2015 | Installation | $352,800 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 8 | Topological Study with Hose, 2012 | Wood | $276,578 | Phillips | Dec 2022 |
| 9 | Landscape Exercise with Black Mountain in Industrial Blue, 2012 | Sculpture | $228,600 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 10 | Creamy Rich Sky, Asphalt Horizon Roll, 2014 | Wood | $203,200 | Phillips | Sep 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 42 | $45,123 |
| Sculpture | 23 | $28,160 |
| Paintings | 9 | $22,680 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 29 | $81,900 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 37 | $28,833 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $3,951 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
Theaster Gates is an American artist with 108 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $31,566. 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 Theaster Gates sold in 2026 for $38,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Theaster Gates record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Theaster Gates on OpeningBid →What is a Theaster Gates work worth?
Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Theaster Gates work is $31,566.
The median Theaster Gates sculpture sells for $37,800 across 19 lots.
The median Theaster Gates print sells for $1,080 across 7 lots.
The median Theaster Gates painting sells for $122,575 across 4 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 | 10 | $1,080† | $2,234 | 70% | 2024-06-27 |
| Paintings | 5 | $122,575 | $381,262 | 80% | 2025-10-18 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $26,607 | $47,880 | — | 2026-04-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 23 | $37,800 | $228,600 | 82.6% | 2026-04-02 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $215,900 | $763,195 | — | 2026-07-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Theaster Gates's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (10 lots) median $1,080 with 70% sell-through. Paintings (5 lots) median $122,575, record $381,262. A typical Theaster Gates painting sells for around 113× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 18 lots) the median is $215,900.
Price by size
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $29,245–$46,165 | $37,780 | $55,447 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $54,088–$69,462 | $64,250 | $228,600 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $381,262 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $228,600 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $176,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $70,950 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $47,880 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $5,334 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $2,234 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,260 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Theaster Gates worth?
Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Theaster Gates work is $31,566. The median Theaster Gates sculpture sells for $37,800 across 19 lots. The median Theaster Gates print sells for $1,080 across 7 lots. The median Theaster Gates painting sells for $122,575 across 4 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 Theaster Gates sculpture?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Theaster Gates sculpture is $37,800.
What is Theaster Gates's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Theaster Gates sculpture is $228,600.
What is Theaster Gates's auction record?
Theaster Gates's auction record is $763,195, set in 2021.
See the full Theaster Gates record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Theaster Gates on OpeningBid →