Theaster Gates
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Theaster Gates #250Mid-Career

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Selected Works90

Museum Acquisitions

Whitney
Whitney
MoMA
NGA Washington
Art Institute of Chicago
SFMOMA
SFMOMA
SFMOMA
SFMOMA
Tate
Hammer Museum
Hammer Museum
LACMA
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Basel Art Museum
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
MCA Chicago
Tate Britain

Previous Sales 48

Christie's
Roof Extraction for Bank Under Water
Roof Extraction for Bank Under Water, 2014
$68,750
Jul 2020
Sotheby's
Deep Brown
Deep Brown, 2018
Bought In
Mar 2026
Phillips
Complicated gape in need of reflective paint
Complicated gape in need of reflective paint, 2014
$70,950
Nov 2025
Phillips
From time to time these Hot Days get Lonely
From time to time these Hot Days get Lonely, 2011
$381,058
Oct 2025
Christie's
Executive Suite
Executive Suite, 2013
$40,320
Jul 2025
Sotheby's
Layered Work, Vertical Seams
Layered Work, Vertical Seams, 2014
$101,600
May 2025
Sotheby's
Tar Study with Rapid Cooling
Tar Study with Rapid Cooling, 2013
Bought In
Feb 2025
Christie's
In the Event of a Race Riot XXVI
In the Event of a Race Riot XXVI, 2011
$22,680
Feb 2025
Phillips
cool gray study. no flame
cool gray study. no flame, 2015
$63,500
Nov 2024
Phillips
Creamy Rich Sky, Asphalt Horizon Roll
Creamy Rich Sky, Asphalt Horizon Roll, 2014
$203,200
Sep 2024
Phillips
Ebony Vitrine
Ebony Vitrine, 2012
$38,100
Sep 2024
Bonhams
As You Were from 6916 South Dorchester, Chicago
As You Were from 6916 South Dorchester, Chicago, 2010
$17,920
Jul 2024
Sotheby's
White Sky, overcast
White Sky, overcast, 2014
$162,102
Oct 2023
Phillips
Stand-Ins for a Period of Wreckage 7
Stand-Ins for a Period of Wreckage 7, 2011
$20,320
Oct 2023
Sotheby's
Partial Eclipse with Electrical Polarity
Partial Eclipse with Electrical Polarity, 2015
Bought In
Sep 2023
Christie's
Birmingham Chalkboard
Birmingham Chalkboard , 2012
$47,880
Jul 2023
Sotheby's
Landscape Exercise with Black Mountain in Industrial Blue
Landscape Exercise with Black Mountain in Industrial Blue, 2012
$228,600
May 2023
Bonhams
As You Were from South Dorchester, Chicago
As You Were from South Dorchester, Chicago
Bought In
Mar 2023
Sotheby's
Floor Plan with Orange Barrier
Floor Plan with Orange Barrier, 2010
Bought In
Mar 2023
Phillips
Walking on Afroturf
Walking on Afroturf, 2012
$45,720
Mar 2023
Phillips
Convex Concave
Convex Concave, 2017
$35,560
Mar 2023
Phillips
Topological Study with Hose
Topological Study with Hose, 2012
$277,471
Dec 2022
Sotheby's
Ground Rules (White Stars)
Ground Rules (White Stars), 2015
$352,800
Nov 2022
Sotheby's
Whyte Painting (NGGRWR 0006)
Whyte Painting (NGGRWR 0006), 2010
Bought In
Jul 2022
Phillips
Ledge 1
Ledge 1, 2012
$37,800
May 2022

For Sale 1

Kavi Gupta · Artsy
Untitled
Untitled, 2004
Price on request
Glazed stoneware
price_check

Market113 auction results

trending_upPaintings Range
$35.3K – $381K
4 of 8 paintings lots with prices
calculatePaintings Average
$215K
Object-type specific
show_chartPaintings Median
$208K
4 priced paintings lots
calendar_todayLast Paintings Sale
Oct 2025 · $381K
Latest tracked sale in this object type
categoryMarket by Object Type
Paintings: $208K medianSculpture/objects: $28.7K medianWorks on paper: $24.5K medianUnclassified lots: $45.7K medianEditioned prints: $2.2K median
gavelTop Auction Houses
Sotheby'sPhillipsBonhams
storefront

Galleries3

#1 Gagosian
Instagram
#5 White Cube
Instagram
#97 Gray
Instagram
emoji_events

Prizes & Awards2

Nasher Prize for Sculpture
Winner 2018
Artes Mundi
Winner 2015
podcasts

Podcast Interviews1

podcasts A brush with... Theaster Gates A brush with... · Nov 23, 2022
An in-depth interview with the artist on his cultural experiences and greatest influences, from Agnes Martin to Frankie Knuckles
public

Biennial Selections2

Sharjah Biennial — Sharjah
2023 · Thinking Historically in the Present · curated by Hoor Al Qasimi
documenta — Kassel
2012 · documenta (13) · curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev
school

Education1

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA, USA
menu_book

Publications8

Monograph 2

For Freedoms: Where Do We Go From Here?
Phaidon Press · 2024
Theaster Gates (Contemporary Artists)
Phaidon Press · 2015

Exhibition Catalog 2

Carrie Mae Weems: Reflections for now Author
Hatje Cantz · 2023
Theaster Gates: Young Lords and Their Traces
Phaidon Press · 2022

Group Catalog 2

Meaning Matter Memory: Selections from the Studio Museum in Harlem Collection
Phaidon Press · 2024
Reimagining: New Perspectives: The Latest Acquisitions by the UBS Art Collection
Phaidon Press · 2022

Survey 2

Contemporary Painting (World of Art)
Thames & Hudson · 2021
Vitamin C: Clay and Ceramic in Contemporary Art
Phaidon Press
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Current Exhibitions0

No current exhibitions found.

newspaper

Recent News20

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A First Look at the Big-Ticket Artworks that Galleries Are Bringing to Art Basel 2026
ARTnews previews the high-value artworks that galleries are bringing to Art Basel 2026 in Basel, Switzerland. The fair introduces a new opt-in program…
marketJun 11, 2026
A Better World at the Obama Center
The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Chicago, designed by architects Billie Tsien and Todd Williams with landscape architect Michael van Valkenburgh…
reviewJun 11, 2026
A First Look at the Art in the New Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a $850 million campus designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, is set to open later this month in J…
exhibitionsJun 8, 2026
Vienna Meets Chicago in “Ornament & Information”
The article reviews "Ornament & Information," an exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center organized by the Chicago-based culture agency Gertie. The s…
exhibitionsJun 5, 2026
What the Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago looks like: public green space, community areas, and a museum full of site-specific art
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will open to the public on June 19, 2025, a date chosen to coincide with Juneteenth, the holiday commemoratin…
exhibitionsJun 2, 2026
Arte Povera at Pinault Collection Paris
The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection in Paris is hosting an extensive exhibition dedicated to the Arte Povera movement, curated by the renowned…
exhibitionsJun 2, 2026
Inside the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's major expansion
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, will open a major expansion on June 6, adding 114,000 square feet to its campus. Desi…
exhibitionsJun 1, 2026
Your Summer Guide: 20 Art World Highlights Not to Miss
ARTnews has published a summer guide highlighting 20 art world events and exhibitions not to miss in the coming months. Featured highlights include th…
exhibitionsMay 21, 2026
New residency in upstate New York will give Indigenous artists access to neon fabrication studio
Lite Brite Neon Studio in Kingston, New York, has partnered with the Walker Youngbird Foundation to launch Native Neon, a residency program providing …
newsMay 21, 2026
Lenz Geerk’s Theatre of the Mind: painting as regulation of appearance
Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Turin presents "Theatre of the Mind," the first Italian institutional solo exhibition by German-born painter Len…
exhibitionsMay 19, 2026
Frieze New York 2026 Sales Report & Contemporary Art Market Trends
Frieze New York 2026 concluded with significant sales activity, as galleries reported strong demand for blue-chip contemporary works. The fair feature…
marketMay 19, 2026
New York Is About to Sell $3 Billion in Art. Who’s Buying?
Vanity Fair's Nate Freeman reports on New York's spring art season, where auction houses are poised to sell at least $2.6 billion in art alongside maj…
marketMay 15, 2026
Megadealer Larry Gagosian Is the Subject of Unauthorized Documentary In the Works from Director Barry Avrich
Director Barry Avrich is producing an unauthorized documentary titled "Shadow Man: Inside The Secret World of Larry Gagosian" about the legendary art …
newsMay 15, 2026
Secretive LA art dealer Larry Gagosian to be subject of 'juicy' unauthorized doc
An unauthorized documentary about mega-gallerist Larry Gagosian is in the works, directed by Barry Avrich, who previously helmed the Netflix hit "Made…
peopleMay 14, 2026
The End-of-Term Grand Interview with Stefano Boeri After 8 Years as President of Triennale di Milano
Stefano Boeri reflects on his eight-year tenure as president of Triennale Milano in a wide-ranging exit interview. He discusses the institution's tran…
peopleMay 12, 2026
Art Basel unveils Basel Exclusive and highlights for its flagship show
Art Basel has announced a new initiative called Basel Exclusive for its flagship fair in Basel, Switzerland, launching June 16, 2026. Participating ga…
exhibitionsMay 11, 2026
An Expert’s Guide To Navigating The Art World
An art consultant with experience directing galleries in New York and Seattle, working with Nick Knight at SHOWstudio, and presenting The Art Show on …
cultureMay 11, 2026
Look Inside the Art-Filled Home of New York City's Cultural Crusaders
This profile explores the Upper West Side residence of Crystal McCrary McGuire and Raymond J. McGuire, a power couple deeply embedded in New York City…
cultureMay 9, 2026
It’s the Most Controversial Venice Biennale in Years. Can the Art Stand Up to the Noise?
The 2026 Venice Biennale is embroiled in controversy, with the US Pavilion at the center of a political storm. The Trump administration's State Depart…
exhibitionsMay 8, 2026
Aspen Art Fair Names More Than 35 Exhibitors for 2026 Edition at Hotel Jerome
The Aspen Art Fair has announced more than 35 exhibitors for its third edition, returning to the Hotel Jerome from July 29 through August 1, 2026. Thi…
exhibitionsMay 7, 2026
history

Past Exhibitions21

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#1 Gagosian

Dave: All My Relations

Theaster Gates

555 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, USA

Mar 26, 2026 — May 2, 2026

Details

#5 White Cube

Theaster Gates | And Other Paintings

Theaster Gates

7 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

Mar 6, 2026 — Apr 4, 2026

Details

#97 Gray

OH, YOU’VE GOT TO COME BACK TO THE CITY

Theaster Gates

875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60611

Oct 16, 2025 — Jan 14, 2026

Details

#8,238 smARThistory

Theaster Gates - African Still Life #3: A Tribute to Patric McCoy and Marva Jolly

Theaster Gates

The University of Chicago

Sep 23, 2025 — Dec 22, 2025

Details

#5 White Cube

1965: Malcolm in Winter: A Translation Exercise

Theaster Gates

Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY, UK

Feb 7, 2025 — Apr 6, 2025

Details

#1 Gagosian

Black Mystic

Theaster Gates

555 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, United States

Apr 13, 2024 — Jun 29, 2024

Details

Mori Art Museum

Theaster Gates

Theaster Gates

Japan, 〒106-6150 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6-chōme−10−１ Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 53階

Jan 1, 2024

Theaster Gates 2024.4.24 [Wed] - 9.1 [Sun]

Details

#1 Gagosian

Theaster Gates: Vestment

Theaster Gates

555 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, USA

Nov 12, 2022 — Dec 23, 2022

Details

#1 Gagosian

ASHEN

Theaster Gates

Jun 13, 2022 — Jul 30, 2022

Details

#5 White Cube

Oh, The Wind Oh, The Wind

Theaster Gates

7 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

Sep 17, 2021 — Oct 30, 2021

Details

#97 Gray

How to Sell Hardware

Theaster Gates

875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60611

May 28, 2021 — Jul 31, 2021

Details

#1 Gagosian

Theaster Gates: Black Vessel

555 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011, USA

Oct 10, 2020 — Jan 8, 2021

Details

Pérez Art Museum Miami

Theaster Gates: Breathing

Theaster Gates

1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132, USA

Jan 1, 2020 — May 31, 2021

Nov. 7, 2020 – May 31, 2021 Theaster Gates: Breathing

Details

#1,577 180 Studios

Theaster Gates - Black Image Corporation

Theaster Gates

Level 2, 180 Strand, Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 1EA, UK

Oct 4, 2019 — Oct 27, 2019

Details

Walker Art Center

Theaster Gates: Assembly Hall

Theaster Gates

725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA

Sep 5, 2019 — Jan 12, 2020

Theaster Gates: Assembly Hall Sep 5, 2019–Jan 12, 2020 Exhibitions Theaster Gates: Assembly Hall

Details

#97 Gray

Theaster Gates Every Square Needs a Circle

Theaster Gates

875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60611

Apr 4, 2019 — Jun 29, 2019

Details

#51 Jack Shainman Gallery

The Black Image Corporation

Theaster Gates

46 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013, United States

Mar 7, 2019 — Apr 20, 2019

Details

#97 Gray

Theaster Gates Heavy Sketches

875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60611

Sep 30, 2016 — Nov 20, 2016

Details

#2,933 Atlantean Art Gallery

Theaster Gates: How to Build a House Museum

Theaster Gates

317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4, Canada

Jul 21, 2016 — Oct 19, 2016

Details

#97 Gray

Retreat Curated by Theaster Gates

875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60611

Aug 22, 2014 — Oct 10, 2014

Details

#8,238 smARThistory

Theaster Gates: Unto Thee

Theaster Gates

The University of Chicago

Feb 22, 2026

Details
stadium

Art Fair Appearances12

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Art Basel — Basel
2026
Frieze Los Angeles — Los Angeles
2025
Frieze Los Angeles — Los Angeles
2024
Frieze Seoul — Seoul
2024
The Armory Show — New York
2024
Art Basel Miami Beach — Miami Beach
2023
artgenève — Geneva
2023
ART SG — Singapore
2023
Art Basel — Basel
2022
Art Basel — Basel
2018
ZONAMACO — Mexico City
2018
ZONAMACO — Mexico City
2017
timeline

Recent Activity20

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Exhibition
Theaster Gates: Unto Thee
stadium
Art Fair
Art Basel 2026
Jun 18, 2026
newspaper
News
New residency in upstate New York will give Indigenous artists access to neon fabrication studio
May 21, 2026
newspaper
News
Your Summer Guide: 20 Art World Highlights Not to Miss
May 21, 2026
newspaper
News
Frieze New York 2026 Sales Report & Contemporary Art Market Trends
May 19, 2026
newspaper
News
Lenz Geerk’s Theatre of the Mind: painting as regulation of appearance
May 19, 2026
newspaper
News
New York Is About to Sell $3 Billion in Art. Who’s Buying?
May 15, 2026
newspaper
News
Megadealer Larry Gagosian Is the Subject of Unauthorized Documentary In the Works from Director Barry Avrich
May 15, 2026
newspaper
News
Secretive LA art dealer Larry Gagosian to be subject of 'juicy' unauthorized doc
May 14, 2026
newspaper
News
La grande intervista di fine mandato a Stefano Boeri dopo 8 anni da presidente della Triennale di Milano
May 12, 2026
newspaper
News
An Expert’s Guide To Navigating The Art World
May 11, 2026
newspaper
News
Look Inside the Art-Filled Home of New York City's Cultural Crusaders
May 9, 2026
newspaper
News
It’s the Most Controversial Venice Biennale in Years. Can the Art Stand Up to the Noise?
May 8, 2026
newspaper
News
Aspen Art Fair Names More Than 35 Exhibitors for 2026 Edition at Hotel Jerome
May 7, 2026
newspaper
News
Ceramics Are Everywhere, in Museums, Galleries, and Fairs—Has the Market Caught Up?
May 6, 2026
newspaper
News
In Spagna è nata una nuova fondazione per l’arte contemporanea. Il collezionista Gabriel Calparsoro ce l’ha raccontata
May 6, 2026
newspaper
News
Black Designers as Fine Artists: Fashion Meets Sculpture
May 1, 2026
newspaper
News
New York Galleries: Openings and Closings (04/27-05/03)
Apr 27, 2026
newspaper
News
How the South Side Community Art Center Grew from an Icon of the Black Renaissance to a Vital and Expanding Force
Apr 23, 2026
newspaper
News
Art Basel unveils Basel Exclusive and further program highlights for its flagship show in June
Apr 23, 2026
newspaper

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