Iconoclasts – 20 years of the Urban Art department: a landmark auction in preparation
For over twenty years, Artcurial has established itself as a pioneering player in the development and recognition of urban art on the international stage. By shaping this market and supporting its leading artists, the auction house has helped to foster a new generation of collectors and to firmly establish these works within the art market landscape.
Richard Hambleton (1952-2017)
As the World Burns, 1983
Sold €474,000, 27 June 2018
Shepard Fairey (born 1970)
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, 2018
Sold €232,200, 5 November 2019
To mark this anniversary, we look back at the key moments that have shaped the history and development of the Urban department, highlighting its decisive role in the evolution of this movement.
To mark the occasion, Artcurial is organising the Iconoclasts – 20 Years of the Urban Department auction, an exceptional sale bringing together the movement’s most influential figures and providing an ideal platform for the presentation of major works.
Towards the Future of Urban Art
Scheduled for November 18th, 2026, the Iconoclasts – 20 Years of the Urban Department auction will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Artcurial’s Urban Department through an exceptional sale dedicated to the leading figures of urban and contemporary art.
Conceived as a major event on the art market, this auction will bring together an international audience of collectors, professionals and institutions involved in this scene in Paris.
Auction concept: a manifesto for Urban Art
The auction is part of a strong curatorial approach, showcasing artists who have broken with traditional artistic conventions by developing radical, socially engaged visual languages deeply rooted in their era, such as Rammellzee, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Futura, Invader, JR and Vhils.
Invader (born 1969)
Rubik Mona Lisa (Rubik Masterpiece Series), 2005
Sold €480,200, 23 February 2020
Rammellzee (born 1960)
The Coming of Zee, 1984
Sold €397,200, 28 November 2025
Through a carefully curated selection, the auction explores the various facets of the movement, from pioneering graffiti to the most conceptual contemporary practices, affirming the central role of these artists in the history of 20th- and 21st-century art.
The project will be underpinned by a strong artistic direction, faithful to the visual identity that has made Artcurial’s Urban sales so successful, in order to create a coherent and instantly recognisable world that perfectly resonates with the sale’s iconoclastic and avant-garde spirit.
An immersive experience
In the run-up to the sale, the works will be presented as part of an exhibition designed as a true experience, featuring an immersive display inspired by the conventions of street art (play on scale, raw materials, contextualised displays) and bringing together a discerning international audience comprising collectors, advisers, institutions and professionals, thanks to Artcurial’s global network.
Why now?
The urban art market is currently undergoing a phase of maturity and consolidation, driven by sustained international demand and growing recognition of its leading artists. Auction results in recent years bear witness to a lasting interest in these works, which are now fully integrated into major private and institutional collections.
At the same time, the movement’s increased visibility through museum exhibitions and initiatives by major foundations is helping to reinforce its legitimacy and to establish a sustainable market structure.
Against this backdrop, historic and iconic works are attracting particular attention, both from established collectors and from a new generation of international buyers.
Entrust your artworks to us
As part of the auction Iconoclasts - 20 years of the Urban department, Artcurial invites you to entrust your artworks to us so that they may be included in this exceptional sale.
Our specialists will support you from valuation through to the auction, offering a bespoke approach designed to showcase each artwork to its fullest potential.
Artists sought: Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Rammellzee, Futura, Invader, JR, Vhils, Dran, Richard Hambleton, JonOne…
Information
AUction
Iconoclasts: 20 Years of Urban Art
Wednesday 18 November 2026
Consignment Deadline
October 2026
Contact
Arnaud Oliveux
+33 1 42 99 16 28