Yinka Shonibare (b. 1962)
What is Yinka Shonibare’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 79 auction results for Yinka Shonibare at 12 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,389 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,108–$12,607, n=10). The auction record is $328,413 for Girl Balancing Knowledge (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Girl Balancing Knowledge, 2015 | Fibreglass mannequin, Dutch wax cotton textile, books, globe and steel baseplate | $328,413 | Christie's | Mar 2018 |
| 2 | Bad School Boy, 2014 | Leather | $296,273 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | Boy on Globe | Mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, leather shoes and fibreglass globe | $176,626 | Sotheby's | Jan 2013 |
| 4 | Plaything, 1996 | Acrylic paint | $176,400 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 5 | Boy Balancing Knowledge II, 2016 | Fibreglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, books, globe, leather and steel baseplate | $166,700 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 6 | The Age of Enlightenment-Gabrielle Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet, 2008 | Sculpture | $157,500 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 7 | Victorian Philanthropist's Parlour, 1996 | Dutch wax printed fabric covered wood, cast iron, brass, marble, mirror, bound printed books, porcelain, glass, framed works on paper and props | $154,787 | Christie's | Mar 2012 |
| 8 | Boy Doing Headstand, 2009 | Fiberglass mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton and mixed media | $101,600 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 9 | Ballerina with Violin, Swan Lake, 2013 | Fiberglass | $100,800 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diary of a Victorian Dandy, 1998 | Five chromagenic prints | $153,075 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $70,704 |
| Sculpture | 12 | $54,867 |
| Photographs | 10 | $12,090 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $6,847 |
| Other | 23 | $4,826 |
| Prints | 13 | $1,127 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $27,620 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 38 | $4,424 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $1,373 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 79 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Yinka Shonibare is a British (modern) artist with 113 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $6,624. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Yinka Shonibare sold in 2025 for $14,676, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Yinka Shonibare work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Yinka Shonibare free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Yinka Shonibare record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yinka Shonibare on OpeningBid →What is a Yinka Shonibare work worth?
Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yinka Shonibare work is $6,624.
The median Yinka Shonibare print sells for $2,058 across 21 lots.
The median Yinka Shonibare sculpture sells for $54,866 across 12 lots.
The median Yinka Shonibare photograph sells for $11,430 across 11 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 | 30 | $2,058‡ | $153,075 | 70% | 2025-09-24 |
| Paintings | 3 | $7,854 | $10,882 | 66.7% | 2023-03-21 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $154,787 | $154,787 | 33.3% | 2012-03-07 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 14 | $54,866 | $157,500 | 85.7% | 2025-06-25 |
| Photography | 13 | $11,430 | $27,620 | 84.6% | 2026-02-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $166,700 | $328,413 | — | 2024-10-01 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Yinka Shonibare's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (30 lots) median $2,058 with 70% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $7,854, record $10,882. A typical Yinka Shonibare painting sells for around 3.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 11 lots) the median is $166,700.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $1,003–$6,052‡ | $2,058‡ | $75,000 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $98,996–$101,600 | $100,800 | $157,500 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,905–$3,505 | $3,361 | $11,430 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $18,415–$25,486 | $22,660 | $27,620 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $157,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $154,787 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $153,075 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $101,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $75,000 |
| Photography | 2011 | $27,620 |
| Photography | 2011 | $25,647 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $10,882 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Yinka Shonibare worth?
Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yinka Shonibare work is $6,624. The median Yinka Shonibare print sells for $2,058 across 21 lots. The median Yinka Shonibare sculpture sells for $54,866 across 12 lots. The median Yinka Shonibare photograph sells for $11,430 across 11 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Yinka Shonibare print?
Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yinka Shonibare print is $2,058. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yinka Shonibare's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yinka Shonibare print is $153,075.
What is the average price of a Yinka Shonibare sculpture?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yinka Shonibare sculpture is $54,866.
What is Yinka Shonibare's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yinka Shonibare sculpture is $157,500.
What is the average price of a Yinka Shonibare photograph?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yinka Shonibare photograph is $11,430.
What is Yinka Shonibare's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yinka Shonibare photograph is $27,620.
What is the average price of a medium Yinka Shonibare print?
Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yinka Shonibare print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,058, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yinka Shonibare's auction record?
Yinka Shonibare's auction record is $328,413, set in 2018.
See the full Yinka Shonibare record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yinka Shonibare on OpeningBid →