Tunji Adeniyi-Jones has made waves at Art SG, selling his large-scale painting “Celestial Gathering” for $350,000, per artnet.com. The three-panel canvas, originally created for Nigeria’s pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, marks another milestone in the British Nigerian painter’s rapidly ascending career.
Adeniyi-Jones, currently based in New York, has become known for his vibrant paintings that blend Matisse-like figurative elements with mystical West African-inspired landscapes. His artistic journey has been nothing short of remarkable, with a meteoric rise that has captured the attention of the global art world.
The artist’s market trajectory tells a compelling story of artistic and commercial success. Making his auction debut in December 2020, Adeniyi-Jones saw his work “Red Twins III” sell for $163,800—a remarkable eight times its initial estimate. The peak came in 2021 when “Pattern Makers” fetched $416,013 at Phillips London, representing a staggering 500 percent increase over its estimated value.
Despite a recent market contraction that saw his total auction sales drop to $201,180 in the previous year, Adeniyi-Jones continues to demonstrate his market resilience.
The artist’s international recognition has been steadily growing. After debuting in Asia with a solo exhibition at White Cube’s Hong Kong space in 2023, he recently launched his first Korean solo show at the gallery’s Seoul location. The success at Art SG further cements his position as a rising star in the contemporary art scene.
“Celestial Gathering” represents more than just a commercial success, the warm-toned painting reflects Adeniyi-Jones’s unique artistic vision—a mesmerising blend of cultural heritage and contemporary artistic expression that continues to captivate collectors and critics alike.
- Featured image: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Celestial Gathering (2024)/White Cube
