7 of the richest artists alive – net worths, ranked: from Damien Hirst’s formaldehyde animals to Jeff Koons’ most expensive, US$9 million work, and Anish Kapoor – but who’s a billionaire?
- With Art Basel Hong Kong in full swing, we look at some of the world’s richest artists – Jeff Bezos reportedly bought an artwork by Edward Ruscha for US$52.5 million in 2020
- Korean-born American artist David Choe’s fortune comes from stock in Facebook – his payment for a commissioned mural that the company asked him to paint in 2007
Art Basel Hong Kong is back in full swing this week. The art world’s elite have already jetted in to attend VIP events, while public-attendance days begin on Thursday and end on Saturday.
Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention Exhibition and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Art Basel Hong Kong will showcase 243 premier galleries from 40 countries. But that’s only the beginning. Around this premium international art fair has grown what has become known by some as “Hong Kong Art Month” and others as “Hong Kong Art March”, which has arguably helped the city to become the fine art hub of Asia. Throughout the month and in some cases into April, Hong Kong’s biggest art institutions are hosting their own events and celebrations, from last week’s West Kowloon Cultural District Art Week to the Art Central fair, held on the city’s iconic harbourfront the same weekend as Art Basel.
In celebration of all things art, we rounded up five of the most successful living artists in the world, according to their net worths in 2023, per Celebrity Net Worth. Here’s how they stack up.
7. Jasper Johns, 93
Estimated net worth: US$300 million
American painter, sculptor and printmaker Jasper Johns is widely known for his contributions to the pop art movement, which emerged in the 1950s.
His famous paintings, which incorporate familiar symbols and everyday objects, have gathered critical acclaim and record-breaking prices at auctions.
One of his most famous paintings, Flag (1983), which he created after having a dream about the American flag (a much-represented subject for this artist), sold for just over US$36 million at a Sotheby’s New York auction sale in 2014.
6. David Choe, 47
Estimated net worth: US$300 million
Korean-born American painter, muralist, graffiti artist and graphic novelist David Choe is known for his frenetic, expressive figurative paintings. His work combines traditional portraits with street art, using elements of graffiti, with pop art touches.
