Artsy

$265,000 Kehinde Wiley painting leads sales on the first day of The Armory Show 2025

The 2025 edition of The Armory Show is underway at the Javits Center in New York, and galleries have reported a clutch of sales at the end of its VIP day on Thursday, September 4th. The leading transaction reported thus far is a  painting, which sold for $265,000 at the booth of .

 

This year’s edition of The Armory Show runs until September 7th and hosts more than 230 galleries from more than 35 countries. Several high-profile galleries including  and  have returned to the fair after a hiatus, and newcomers include the nomadic gallery  and Los Angeles–based .

 

Initial reports from the ground at the fair suggested a buzzy and positive start to the fair. In particular booths showcasing works in lower five-figure price ranges reported sustained collector interest across the day. Megan Mulrooney reported selling out its solo booth of works by  in the first few hours of the VIP preview, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

 

This year’s edition of The Armory Show is also the first under the full leadership of director Kyla McMillan and the second under the ownership of the art fair conglomerate Frieze, which is also operating Frieze Seoul 2025 this week in the Korean capital. Notable attendees at The Armory Show 2025 VIP day included actors Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, mefa-collectors Don and Mera Rubell, and  chief curator Thelma Golden.

 

Here, we round up some of the leading sales reported by galleries at The Armory Show 2025. Check back on Monday for our full sales report.

 

Top sales from The Armory Show 2025

  • In addition to the Wiley sale, Sean Kelly Gallery’s leading sales included a sculpture by  for $90,000, and “a number of works” by  for $35,000 each.
  • White Cube’s reported sales were led by “several” works from its solo presentation of , including paintings ranging from $65,000 to $100,000. It also reported sales including a mixed media work by  for $150,000 and a  painting for $85,000.
  • ’s sales were led by an  sculpture for a price in the range of $150,000 to $180,000.
  •  reported the sale of a  painting for $125,000.
  •  reported the sale of four works by , including a painting for $100,000.
  • ’s leading sales included a work by  for $87,000 and a work by  for $50,000.
  • Miles McEnery Gallery’s leading sales included a painting by  for a price in the range of $70,000 to $90,000 and a work by  for a price in the range of $70,000 to $90,000.
  • ’s leading sales included two paintings by  for $40,000 to $60,000 each.
  • ’s sales were led by “several”  paintings, for prices in the range of $25,000 to $75,000.
  •  sold a painting by for $58,000.
  • ’s leading sales included a  painting for $50,000 and a  painting for $35,000.
  • Galleria Lorcan O'Neill sold an unnamed work for $1 million.
September 5, 2025