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

# Yinka Shonibare (b. 1962)

## What is Yinka Shonibare’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diary of a Victorian Dandy, 1998 | Five chromagenic prints | $153,075 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |

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

| 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 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Yinka Shonibare on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yinka-shonibare?ref=kg:yinka-shonibare) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Yinka Shonibare auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yinka-shonibare (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.