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

# Wangechi Mutu (b. 1972)

## What is Wangechi Mutu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 91 auction results for Wangechi Mutu at 11 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,450 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,816–$10,240, n=13). The auction record is $397,725 for A Little Thought for All Ya'll Who're Thinking of Beating Around the Bush (2008, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Little Thought for All Ya'll Who're Thinking of Beating Around the Bush, 2004 | Ink, acrylic, sequins, faux bois contact paper and printed paper collage on mylar | $397,725 | Christie's | Feb 2008 |
| 2 | A Shady Promise, 2006 | Mixed media | $209,134 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | THE PARTICIAN NEW...., 2004, 2004 | Signé et daté " | $147,090 | Artcurial | Oct 2008 |
| 4 | All Rosey, 2003 | Ink, acrylic, sequins, glitter and printed paper collage on mylar | $138,600 | Christie's | Sep 2022 |
| 5 | Alien Polka Ponder, 1972 | Acrylic | $122,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2012 |
| 6 | Missing Sea and My Land | Ink, acrylic, collage and contact paper on mylar | $117,545 | Sotheby's | Feb 2011 |
| 7 | Histology of the Different Classes of Uterine Tumors | Glitter, ink, collage on found medical illustration paper, in 12 parts | $100,000 | Phillips | May 2014 |
| 8 | Sleeping Heads, 2006 | Mixed media collages on Mylar and latex | $100,000 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 9 | Untitled | Mixed media collage and painting on vellum | $98,342 | Sotheby's | Oct 2010 |
| 10 | Loin | — | $85,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 45 | $27,720 |
| Other | 28 | $10,501 |
| Prints | 9 | $4,826 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 43 | $22,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $13,750 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 91 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Wangechi Mutu is an African artist with 105 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $20,795. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Wangechi Mutu sold in 2026 for $25,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Wangechi Mutu work worth?

Across 91 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wangechi Mutu work is $20,795.

The median Wangechi Mutu work on paper sells for $25,400 across 26 lots.

The median Wangechi Mutu print sells for $4,913 across 22 lots.

The median Wangechi Mutu painting sells for $30,480 across 9 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 | 25 | $4,913‡ | $30,480 | 88% | 2026-07-07 |
| Paintings | 13 | $30,480 | $122,500 | 69.2% | 2025-07-31 |
| Works on Paper | 29 | $25,400‡ | $138,600 | 89.7% | 2026-07-07 |
| Photography | 5 | $3,750 | $8,190 | — | 2023-09-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $130,550 | $397,725 | — | 2022-09-29 |

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

Wangechi Mutu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (25 lots) median $4,913 with 88% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $30,480, record $122,500. A typical Wangechi Mutu painting sells for around 6.2× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $130,550.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,830–$16,875 | $11,340 | $30,480 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $2,747–$6,010‡ | $4,618‡ | $10,647 |

‡ 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) | 6 | $7,035–$49,685 | $21,013 | $98,342 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $10,641–$20,792‡ | $13,750‡ | $59,483 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $27,625–$90,000 | $34,525 | $138,600 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $138,600 |
| Paintings | 2012 | $122,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $117,545 |
| Paintings | 2010 | $98,342 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $30,480 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $18,750 |
| Photography | 2021 | $8,190 |
| Photography | 2023 | $5,292 |

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 Wangechi Mutu worth?

Across 91 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wangechi Mutu work is $20,795. The median Wangechi Mutu work on paper sells for $25,400 across 26 lots. The median Wangechi Mutu print sells for $4,913 across 22 lots. The median Wangechi Mutu painting sells for $30,480 across 9 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wangechi Mutu work on paper is $25,400. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Wangechi Mutu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wangechi Mutu work on paper is $138,600.

### What is the average price of a Wangechi Mutu print?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wangechi Mutu print is $4,913. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Wangechi Mutu's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wangechi Mutu print is $30,480.

### What is the average price of a Wangechi Mutu painting?

Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wangechi Mutu painting is $30,480.

### What is Wangechi Mutu's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wangechi Mutu painting is $122,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Wangechi Mutu print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wangechi Mutu print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,618, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a small Wangechi Mutu work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Wangechi Mutu work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $13,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Wangechi Mutu's auction record?

Wangechi Mutu's auction record is $397,725, set in 2008.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Wangechi Mutu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wangechi-mutu (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.
