NFT art sales reached new heights back in 2021, with eye-popping prices for sought-after works. But amidst the hype, what types of NFT art generate the highest demand and best sales? Let’s look at the best NFT artwork right now and their sales approaches.
Blue Chip Digital Artists
Digital artists like Beeple, Pak, XCopy, and FEWOCiOUS have become celebrity names in NFT art, much like Warhol or Basquiat in traditional art. Their works consistently fetch top dollar.
Beeple’s $69 million “Everydays” collage remains the third most expensive NFT sale ever. Meanwhile, Pak holds the top spot with $91.8 million generated from his generative “Merge” drop.
Established Brands
Major brands have also capitalized on nostalgia and pop culture significance. NFTs like CryptoPunks (Larva Labs) and Bored Ape Yacht Club ride on their brand cachet, community, and scarcity.
Even traditional auction houses like Sotheby’s have cashed in on blue chip NFT artists and exclusive branded drops. Their reputation also boosts prices.
Related: “Top 7 Reasons Why NFT Art Increases in Value“
Generative Art
Algorithmically generated projects like Art Blocks have risen to prominence. Pieces are programmatically minted with unpredictable variations in pattern and color. The “supply surprise” creates hype.
Fidenza by Tyler Hobbs is the poster child for this genre, fetching as much as $3.3 million at auction. Other top generative artists include Connie Digital, Matt Kane, and Monica Rizzolli.
Gaming/Metaverse
Gaming NFTs like Axie Infinity and The Sandbox tap into the multi-billion dollar gaming industry. These virtual world and avatar NFTs offer apparent utility and community.
As the Metaverse vision expands, gaming, social, and digital land NFTs are likely to keep growing in popularity and sales velocity.
Celebrity Artists
Like traditional art, works by major celebs generate pop culture buzz and accordingly command higher sales. Eminem, Tony Hawk, The Weeknd, and Paris Hilton have all cashed in on celebrity NFT drops.
As more public figures continue entering the space, their pre-established fame will likely drive demand and prices.
While still nascent, these categories have defined much of the market for top-selling NFT art so far. But as creators continue innovating, entirely new trends will surely emerge. The only certainty is ongoing disruption. We hope this article has helped you understand the best NFT artwork right now and their sales approaches.
