Tate Ward x Artsy’s auction of Urban & Contemporary Art, featuring works by Francis Bacon, Damien Hirst, Banksy and more, has now closed but it has proven that if there is one artist to watch on the contemporary art scene at present, it is Fern. Her painting ‘Hearts are made to be broken’, 2022, went under the hammer with an initial estimate of just £1500. The painting then received a high number of bids proving high demand and after lengthy and competitive bidding, soared to an eventual hammer price of £10,000 not including all fees, that is an astounding 566% higher than expected from her initial estimate.
The auction result can be viewed here
Hearts are Made to be Broken
2022
Mixed Media on Canvas
Fern (born in 1996) is a British painter, working and residing in London. Her style displays the influence of a variety of contemporary painters, including Harland Miller and The Connor Brothers and draws upon imagery from mid-century posters.
Fern juxtaposes pin-up style portraits of women with blocks of solid colour and deadpan snippets of text. This particular aesthetic combined with her incorporation of witty dry humour and intelligence with a playful undertone creates compelling paintings that satirise modern and contemporary culture.
As a female artist, Fern often demonstrates a joy in self-assured femininity and female sexuality and expresses overt or implicit criticism of the "man's world" in which she lives. Her rebellious art, combined with her free-spirited lifestyle, has made Fern a herald of today’s feminist culture that appeals to many contemporary collectors.
The blue-chip artist Harland Miller who Fern pays homage to and whose style is unambiguously emulated and celebrated by Fern, has works that have achieved six-figure sums on the art market. To date, his most expensive artwork sold at auction went under the hammer for £325,000 at Christie’s London on October 16th 2021. However, when Miller first appeared on the art scene back in 2006 his pieces sold for a mere £2000. It is assumed then that the talented Fern will similarly have much demand for her works and market growth, with further auction sales soon on the horizon. So far, Fern has predominantly worked privately for clients, with several high-profile celebrities commissioning her to produce personalised artworks. It is therefore a very exciting time to be acquiring Fern’s artwork as she is now making her limited works available to a larger audience.
Wanting to secure her work now? If you wish to commission a bespoke artwork by Fern with the option of your own proverb or chosen colour scheme we would be delighted to advise and assist you further. Yield Gallery are very excited to be working exclusively with Fern and showcasing her amazing works. To acquire her work or to view pieces in person do not hesitate to contact us.
