Chris Ofili’s Blossom to Make First Auction Appearance at Christie’s, Expected to Fetch Up to £1.5 Million
Turner Prize-winning British artist Chris Ofili’s significant painting Blossom (1997) is set to appear at Christie’s this October, with an estimated sale price of £1 million to £1.5 million. The work is celebrated for its bold use of materials and its distinctive style, making it a rare highlight in the contemporary art market.
Blossom was created one year before Ofili became the first Black artist to win the Turner Prize in 1998. This milestone marked a turning point, as the award had historically favored conceptual art. Ofili’s win signaled recognition of the strength and innovation of British painting in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The work itself embodies this moment, combining personal artistic vision with a reflection of the era.
The painting merges religious portraiture, popular culture, and African symbolism, showcasing Ofili’s signature techniques: sequins, resin, and elephant dung. It depicts a topless woman wearing an orange flower crown atop her afro, blending a sense of sacredness with modernity. On the left side, the vertical title “Blossom” is inscribed within a circular motif made of elephant dung, enhancing the piece’s visual impact. Tessa Lord, head of Christie’s Post-War & Contemporary Art department in London, described the work as “one of the most thrilling paintings I have encountered in a long time. The surface is covered in pointillist-like textures, and the layers of resin give it a luminous depth—it is truly beautiful in person.”
Born in Manchester to Nigerian heritage, Ofili studied at Chelsea College of Art and the Royal College of Art. His career spans London, New York, and Trinidad, and he represented Britain at the 2003 Venice Biennale. Ofili’s style, often described as “punk art,” reflects the influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Philip Guston. His works are known for their bold, provocative qualities, frequently incorporating elephant dung and erotic imagery. His 1998 painting The Holy Virgin Mary sparked controversy for depicting a Black Madonna surrounded by images from pornography magazines, and later sold at Christie’s for £2.9 million.
Blossom was featured in Ofili’s mid-career retrospective at Tate Britain in 2010, which remains the most comprehensive exhibition of his work to date, and was also included in the 2014–2015 show at New York’s New Museum. Lord noted that the painting comes from a pivotal period in Ofili’s career: his 1997 solo exhibitions at Southampton City Art Gallery, London’s Serpentine Gallery, and Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery helped secure his Turner Prize win the following year.
The painting comes from the collection of the late Danish design entrepreneur and philanthropist Ole Faarup, who acquired it in 1997. Faarup’s collection spans fifty years and includes major works from the second half of the 20th century to contemporary art. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Ole Faarup Art Foundation, which supports Danish and international young artists and promotes global museum exhibitions of the foundation’s works.
This auction will also feature four works by Scottish painter Peter Doig—Ski Jacket, Country Rock, Concrete Cabin, and Yara—all appearing at auction for the first time. Ofili and Doig share a personal friendship, having met at Chelsea College of Art and lived together in Trinidad in the early 2000s, a period that inspired Doig’s Yara. Lord emphasized, “The collection features masterpieces by two British artists whose friendship and mutual influence enrich the historical significance of this auction.”
Ofili’s use of unconventional materials, particularly elephant dung, is both a visual and cultural statement. For Ofili, the materials are as meaningful as the imagery, creating layers of significance that resonate with themes of nature, life, and African heritage. This approach has made his work highly sought after by collectors and widely discussed in academic and critical circles.
The upcoming auction of Blossom marks the first time Christie’s has offered a work of this quality by Ofili since The Holy Virgin Mary sold in 2015. Lord remarked, “We haven’t seen a work of this scale and impact in years. It represents the peak of Ofili’s artistry and highlights the historical importance of contemporary collecting.”
From an art-historical perspective, Blossom exemplifies Ofili’s innovative blending of traditional portraiture with contemporary symbols and popular culture. The maternal theme, intertwined with African cultural motifs, gives the work both spiritual resonance and contemporary visual power. This complex, multi-layered approach has established Ofili’s unique position in the international art world and underpins the high market value of his works.
As the auction date approaches, Blossom has become a focal point for collectors, scholars, and the public alike. For emerging artists and academics, it offers a rich study of material, cultural, and visual language. For collectors, it represents not only a highly valuable art investment but also a significant moment in contemporary art history.
In today’s thriving global art market, Chris Ofili’s Blossom stands as both an artistic and cultural milestone. Whether viewed through the lens of historical importance, material innovation, or visual audacity, it encapsulates the artist’s peak achievements and the spirit of contemporary art pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Its eventual sale this October is poised to attract wide attention and reinforce Ofili’s enduring impact on the art world.