10 In-Demand Works on Artsy This Week

In this weekly series, Artsy’s Curatorial team offers a look at the artworks that are currently gaining traction among collectors on Artsy. Looking at our internal data, we offer a selection of works that Artsy members are engaging with through inquiries, bids, page views, and saves. The following pieces are culled from recent online auctions and art fairs hosted on Artsy, as well as exhibitions and works added by our gallery partners.

Rebecca Ness, Thinking in my motorcycle shirt (2020)

This new work by the New Haven–based artist Rebecca Ness, who graduated from the Yale School of Art with an MFA in painting and printmaking in 2019, is currently featured in her solo show at Nino Mier Gallery in Los Angeles. Ness’s vibrant representational paintings capture slices of everyday life. She often depicts people as they go about their day—reading the paper, getting dressed, embracing a loved one—though she crops in on her subjects, often omitting their faces or focusing on their hands.

Hebru Brantley, FLYBOY (ReD) (2010)

Anime and graffiti artist Hebru Brantley, who was recently featured in our article “5 Artists to Follow if you like KAWS,” is widely known for his comic book–style pieces in which he reflects on his experiences as a Black man. This particular piece received a flurry of inquiries shortly after it was uploaded to Artsy, evidence of the rising interest in the self-described Afrofuturist.

Bae Bien-u, SNM1A-082V_2002 (2002)

Korean photographer Bae Bien-u is famed for his images of seascapes and forests, captured with stark contrast in black and white. The artist has photographed pine trees since the 1980s, nodding to their associations with Korean culture and traditions. This particular work by Bae is being presented by Seoul-based K.O.N.G. Gallery and received a particularly high number of inquiries after it was highlighted in Artsy’s curated collection “Contemporary Korean Artists to Collect.”

Emilio Villalba, untitled (2020)

In Ramp Gallery’s recent group show “The Pearl,” Emilio Villalba is featured alongside fellow emerging and early-career artists. Villalba’s piece, featuring a series of eyes, received a high number of inquiries shortly after the exhibition opened. While the artist has been known to jump between different styles and subject matter, this work comes from perhaps his best-known series, which features deconstructed portraits.

Lei Xue, Drinking Tea (2001–present)

Chinese artist Lei Xue works across a range of mediums, from video installation to watercolors, though he is often recognized for his ceramics. His signature works include sculptural replicas of crushed cans, glazed with blue, Ming Dynasty–era designs and ancient vessel forms decorated with Disney characters. This work received a high amount of inquiries recently after another work by the artist was featured on Instagram by Saatchi Gallery.

Oh de Laval, The devil made me do it (2019)

In the past few months, the Polish-Thai artist Oh de Laval caught the attention of press outlets including Creative Review and i-D, as well as Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele, who invited her and other artists to interpret the brand’s watches. In turn, Oh de Laval has also gained interest from collectors. The London-based artist features in Unit London’s recent group exhibition “Alter Ego,” which closed last week and featured works by emerging artists. Oh de Laval often portrays erotic, figurative scenes influenced by film noir and French new wave cinema. This particular work from Unit London’s exhibition received a high number of inquiries since the show was published online in June.

Cassi Namoda, Gateaux at Midnight (2018–20)

The Mozambican, Los Angeles–based artist Cassi Namoda is having a moment with a high number of sales inquiries on her works as of late. The artist creates figurative paintings inspired by scenes of everyday life in postcolonial Mozambique. This work was uploaded by L.A. gallery François Ghebaly in June and has received many inquiries since then. As the title indicates, the piece depicts a humorous, relatable moment as the figure depicted is about to indulge in a decadent, late-night dessert. Namoda was also featured in our latest edition of “Artists on Our Radar.”

Lee Ufan, Untitled (1979)

Lee Ufan is arguably the most widely recognized name in Korean Minimalism today. Works by Ufan are included in some of the most prestigious art institutions around the world, including the collections of Tate and the Museum of Modern Art. This work was featured in the Seoul Auction: 32nd Hong Kong Sale and received a high number of page views and saves ahead of the close of the sale.

Loie Hollowell, Mechanics of a breast pump (2020)

This piece by breakout star Loie Hollowell was featured in Pace Gallery’s recent online exhibition “Going Soft,” a presentation of the artist’s pastel drawings. In this series, the artist explores her experiences with the various stages of motherhood, including postpartum and pregnancy. This past week, this drawing received a high number of inquiries, a testament to the artist’s growing renown.

Anish Kapoor, Breathing Blue (2020) (2020)