Menu
In a world increasingly driven by data and digital transformation, the art market is undergoing a profound shift. In discussion featuring Jean Gazançon (CEO of ARTE Generali), Sophie Perceval (Co-CEO of Wondeur AI), Jérôme Poggi (Galerie Poggi), they spoke how cultural relevance, institutional recognition, community impact, and even data governance now play central roles in defining the value of art.
While price remains the most visible (and often discussed) aspect of art, it is only one fragment of a much larger ecosystem. Art pricing defies traditional economic models.
“There isn’t just one price—there are many. There’s the price at auction, the price in private sale, the intrinsic cultural value, and the future potential value.” emphasised Sophie Perceval that price is not a singular, stable metric.
Her company, Wondeur AI, takes a data-driven approach to evaluate over trillions of dollars in art assets. Rather than relying on auction results (which only represent about 1% of the art market), Wondeur analyzes an artist’s exhibition history, geographic reach, and institutional collaborations to develop a proxy for cultural value.
Wondeur’s research shows that the most culturally significant artists—particularly those from underrepresented groups—often don’t achieve immediate market success. Their recognition builds slowly, over decades of institutional support and curatorial engagement.
For example, Yayoi Kusama’s career trajectory demonstrates this incremental growth: relatively quiet for decades, then exploding into international acclaim in the 1990s. Similar patterns are evident in the careers of artists like Anna-Eva Bergman and emerging digital creators.
Importantly, female and minority artists often need to “do more” to receive equal recognition, with longer paths to visibility in major institutions and markets. AI tools can now help quantify these patterns and offer collectors, insurers, and galleries a clearer picture of long-term value.
Gallerist Jérôme Poggi highlighted how galleries and institutions—alongside collectors—form a collective network that builds artistic value. “There is no example in history where the cultural value of an artist was built by one person or one institution,” he said.
In fact, price alone, especially in the speculative NFT space or during temporary market bubbles, can be misleading. Some artists, like Kapwani Kiwanga (Canada’s 2024 Venice Biennale representative), may have minimal auction results yet hold significant institutional relevance. Her installations are primarily acquired by museums and are rarely traded, making traditional pricing models inadequate.
price is no longer sufficient to describe an artwork’s value. As the art ecosystem becomes more interconnected, technological tools like AI, blockchain, and cultural data analysis will help stakeholders—collectors, insurers, curators, and artists—better understand and navigate the market.
From data-rich valuation models to governance frameworks for collaborative work, the art world is evolving toward a system where cultural relevance, institutional impact, and social value are not only acknowledged but measurable.
CHOOSE YOUR FIT
Start course today to embark on an art investment journey that’s not only financially rewarding but also culturally enriching and empowering.
Newsletter
Embark on art investment journey that’s not only financially rewarding, but also culturally enriching and empowering.
Embark on art investment journey that’s not only financially rewarding, but also culturally enriching and empowering.
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to receive updates from our company.
Share on Facebook
Navigation
Read
@ 2024 Womenartinvestment All rights reserved.