Liu Bolin Auction Prices and Value Guide

Liu Bolin auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 209 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Liu Bolin auction prices: quick answer

Liu Bolin auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Liu Bolin
Source records
209
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About Liu Bolin

Liu Bolin (born 1973, China) is a Chinese contemporary artist internationally recognized for his photographic self-portraits in which he is painted to blend seamlessly into his surroundings, earning him the nickname "the invisible man." He studied at the Shandong College of Arts (BFA, 1995) and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing (MFA, 2001), and has been active in Beijing since the early 2000s. Liu's most widely known body of work, the "Hiding in the City" series, began in 2005 as a performance-art response to the demolition of a Beijing artists' village ahead of the 2008 Olympics. The series has since expanded to locations worldwide, blending performance, body painting, and photography into a sustained exploration of visibility, displacement, and the relationship between individuals and their environments. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Contemporary artPerformance artConceptual photographyphotographybody paintingvideo artcamouflage and disappearanceurban environments and architecturepolitical and social commentary

Common works and media

The most frequently encountered works at auction are limited-edition chromogenic or pigment photographic prints from the "Hiding in the City" series, typically depicting the artist camouflaged against urban walls, storefronts, monuments, and landscapes. Other works include video art, sculpture, and mixed-media installations. Prints are commonly issued in numbered editions of varying sizes, with large-format examples appearing most often in the secondary market.

Market and appraisal context

Liu Bolin's works appear regularly at international contemporary art and photography auctions. The most sought-after pieces are photographic prints from the "Hiding in the City" series, particularly early Beijing-era images and works featuring iconic urban backdrops. Valuation depends on the specific series, edition size and number, print dimensions, provenance, and exhibition history. Collectors should note that Liu's practice encompasses performance, video, and body painting in addition to photography, and works in these other media surface less frequently at auction. Confirming edition details and authenticity through the artist's studio or gallery documentation is recommended.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Value drivers

  1. Series identification: works from the 'Hiding in the City' series carry the strongest market recognition
  2. Medium: photographic prints (often chromogenic or pigment prints) are the most common auction format
  3. Edition size and number: limited-edition photographic prints; edition number and total size affect value
  4. Provenance and exhibition history: works with documented museum exhibition records are more sought after
  5. Dimensions and format: large-scale prints and unique or early works from the series may command premiums

Appraisal caveats

  • The source pack does not include specific auction results or price-range data; consult live auction records for realized prices.
  • Liu Bolin's work spans photography, video, and performance; ensure correct medium attribution when appraising.
  • Edition information for photographic prints should be verified against the artist's studio records or catalogue.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Liu Bolin

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Liu Bolin worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Liu Bolin artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.