As we step into 2025, the global art market finds itself in a period of thoughtful transition. According to Artnet’s Intelligence Report: The Year Ahead 2025, last year’s auction results reflect more than just a cooling-off from record highs—they signal a wider shift in how, why, and what people collect.

For the Woodbury House community, which includes collectors, investors, and artists with a passion for post-street, graffiti, and contemporary art, these findings carry real relevance.

Let’s break it down.

2024 saw global fine art auction sales fall by 27.3% to $10.2 billion. At first glance, that might raise alarm bells—but the details paint a more nuanced picture. The steepest drops came at the ultra-high end, with artworks over $10 million falling by 44.2%. The ultra-contemporary market—once driven by speculative hype—declined 37.9%.

But the mid-tier ($100,000–$1M) held up well, reflecting a healthy shift from speculation to passion-driven collecting. People are still buying art. They’re just buying differently: with more personal conviction and long-term appreciation.

Millennials and Gen Z are taking the reins. Their collecting habits are influenced by luxury fashion, pop culture, and digital fluency. Online art sales continue to grow, and many of these collectors engage with art across digital platforms before making a purchase.

This new demographic favours authenticity, storytelling, and cultural relevance—attributes deeply rooted in post-street and graffiti art. Artists with a strong narrative and an honest message are resonating more than ever.

While the US remains the largest market, accounting for $4.3 billion in sales, China and the UK saw sharp declines. In contrast, the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is on the rise. With cultural investments like Vision 2030, this region is fast becoming a serious player in the global art scene.

At Woodbury House, we’re already engaging with this momentum. Our new gallery in Dubai connects us with a dynamic collector base that values both innovation and history—a natural fit for contemporary and post-street and graffiti art narratives.

2024 proved that quality still wins. Basquiat dominated the contemporary category, while classics like Magritte and Monet held strong. The post-war and Old Masters markets saw fewer blockbuster sales but rewarded top-tier works with record-breaking results.

Meanwhile, the ultra-contemporary market cooled. Gone is the era of the six-figure overnight success. Today’s buyers are more thoughtful, seeking genuine talent and long-term value.

Notably, half of the top-selling ultra-contemporary works last year were by women—a promising sign of a more inclusive future.

The findings are encouraging for those of us focused on post-street, graffiti and contemporary art:

• Authenticity Matters: Artists with a raw, cultural narrative are in demand.

• Mid-Market Strength: The $10k–$500k price range, where many of our artists reside, is the most resilient.

• Pop-Culture Crossover: The new collector values art that blends visual power with lifestyle and culture—areas where street and graffiti art naturally thrive.

• New Markets: The Middle East and other emerging regions are actively building collections and institutions that value contemporary expressions, including urban and street art.

While the overall market is evolving, the outlook remains positive. The current climate rewards thoughtful collecting, celebrates authenticity, and embraces new voices. Whether you’re acquiring your first artwork or building a multi-generational collection, 2025 offers an opportunity to refine your eye and trust your instincts.

At Woodbury House, we believe in the power of post-street, graffiti, and contemporary art to tell powerful stories, spark dialogue, and deliver lasting value. As the art world adapts to new tastes and new money, we’re proud to be part of a future that feels more inclusive, more exciting, and more aligned with what truly matters: creativity, connection, and conviction.

Explore the movement. Back the artists. Collect with confidence.

If you’d like to receive the full Intelligence Report: The Year Ahead 2025, or speak with a Woodbury House consultant about market insights, building, or expanding your collection, feel free to get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.