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

# Zanele Muholi (b. 1972)

## What is Zanele Muholi’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 122 auction results for Zanele Muholi at 13 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $13,325 including buyer’s premium (middle half $9,073–$17,365, n=22). The auction record is $44,578 for Zodwa, Paris from Somnyama Ngonyama (2020, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zodwa, Paris from Somnyama Ngonyama | Cartes-de-visite | $44,578 | Phillips | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | Alakhe, 2021 | Acrylic paint | $43,023 | Phillips | Dec 2022 |
| 3 | Sambulo, 2021 | Acrylic on canvas | $42,724 | Christie's | Jul 2008 |
| 4 | Sindile II, Room 206 Fjord Hotel, Berlin from Somnyama Ngonyama, 2017 | Cartes-de-visite | $37,935 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 5 | Lena, London, 2018 | Site-specific photographic mural | $33,592 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Babaza I, 2019 | Laser exposed silver print | $33,203 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | Somnyama IV, Oslo, 2015 | Cartes-de-visite | $33,020 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 8 | MaID III, Philadelphia from Somnyama Ngonyama, 2018 | Cartes-de-visite | $32,978 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |
| 9 | Buhlalu I, The Decks, 2019 | Cartes-de-visite | $31,750 | Phillips | Apr 2023 |
| 10 | Lena, London from Somnyama Ngonyama, 2018 | Cartes-de-visite | $29,980 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $14,973 |
| Photographs | 75 | $12,746 |
| Other | 12 | $7,305 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $33,592 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 62 | $14,693 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $10,799 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 122 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zanele Muholi is a South African artist with 139 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $12,345. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Zanele Muholi sold in 2026 for $17,419, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zanele Muholi work worth?

Across 120 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zanele Muholi work is $12,345.

The median Zanele Muholi photograph sells for $12,381 across 96 lots.

The median Zanele Muholi print sells for $10,981 across 11 lots.

The median Zanele Muholi painting sells for $20,331 across 5 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Zanele Muholi photographs typically sell for $7,815–$18,917 (the middle half of 60 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Zanele Muholi photographs typically sell for $5,140–$12,700 (the middle half of 24 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 11 | $10,981 | $33,203 | — | 2026-05-12 |
| Paintings | 6 | $20,331 | $43,023 | 83.3% | 2026-10-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $7,500† | $13,041 | — | 2026-10-01 |
| Photography | 101 | $12,381† | $44,578 | 95% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $40,329 | $44,578 | — | 2023-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Zanele Muholi's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $10,981. Paintings (6 lots) median $20,331, record $43,023. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $40,329.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $3,123–$8,562 | $4,006 | $12,528 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $5,140–$12,700† | $9,936† | $28,380 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 60 | $7,815–$18,917† | $13,805† | $44,578 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2020 | $44,578 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $43,023 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $42,724 |
| Photography | 2023 | $37,935 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $33,203 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $24,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $13,041 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $7,500 |

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 Zanele Muholi worth?

Across 120 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zanele Muholi work is $12,345. The median Zanele Muholi photograph sells for $12,381 across 96 lots. The median Zanele Muholi print sells for $10,981 across 11 lots. The median Zanele Muholi painting sells for $20,331 across 5 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Zanele Muholi photographs typically sell for $7,815–$18,917 (the middle half of 60 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Zanele Muholi photographs typically sell for $5,140–$12,700 (the middle half of 24 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Zanele Muholi photograph?

Based on 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zanele Muholi photograph is $12,381. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Zanele Muholi's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zanele Muholi photograph is $44,578.

### What is the average price of a Zanele Muholi print?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zanele Muholi print is $10,981.

### What is Zanele Muholi's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zanele Muholi print is $33,203.

### What is the average price of a medium Zanele Muholi photograph?

Based on 60 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zanele Muholi photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $13,805, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Zanele Muholi photograph?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zanele Muholi photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,936, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Zanele Muholi's auction record?

Zanele Muholi's auction record is $44,578, set in 2020.

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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, “Zanele Muholi auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zanele-muholi (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.