Top 10 contemporary artists in 2008

(c) 2007 by Laura M. Kuah; Sotheby's - London, UK

FYI: The World's Top Selling Contemporary Artists

Here is the list of the top 10 most popular artists based on auction records in July 2008, as compiled by Artprice. Given the state of the world's economy and complaints of dropping art sales from top auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's, I wonder how steep the numbers will drop by the end of 2009. Predictions, anyone? Nonetheless, here's a quick look at some not-so-starving artists in the word today who are bringing home a fat paycheck for each work of art sold. In some cases, you don't even have to be alive to reap the benefits!

1. Jeff Koons (b.1955) Type of art: sculpture, mixed-media?Nationality: American?Sales at auction (2008): £69.4 million

2. Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-88) Type of art: Painting (ex-graffiti artist)?Nationality: American?Sales at auction (2008): £54.3 million

3. Damien Hirst (b.1965) Type of art: Sculpture, mixed-media, installation, Turner Prize-winner?Nationality: British?Sales at auction (2008): £45.8 million.?Note: The survey excludes Hirst's Sept 2008 auction of £100 million.

4. Richard Prince (b.1949) Type of art: painting, fine art photography?Nationality: American?Sales at auction (2008): £33 million

5. Zhang Xiaogang (b.1958) Type of art: Surrealism works, portraiture?Nationality: Chinese (Yunnan)?Sales at auction (2008): £32.3 million

6. Zeng Fanzhi (b.1964) Type of art: Figure painting, portraits?Nationality: Chinese (Wuhan)?Sales at auction (2008): £27.8 million

7. Yue Minjun (b.1962) Type of art: Expressionist figurative paintings?Nationality: Chinese (Heilongjiang)?Sales at auction (2008): £27.5 million

8. Takashi Murakami (b.1962) Type of art: Sculpture, painting, installation?Nationality: Japanese?Sales at auction (2008): £15.5 million

9. Wang Guangyi (b.1957) Type of art: Mixed-media, painting?Nationality: Chinese (Heilongjiang)?Sales at auction (2008): £11.7 million

10. Liu Xiaodong (b.1963) Type of art: Painting, fine art photography?Nationality: Chinese (Liaoning)?Sales at auction (2008): £10.5 million