Top 10 Most Expensive Works by Contemporary Female Artists at Auction

As of 2026, Yayoi Kusama firmly occupies the top spot in the global contemporary female artist auction rankings, demonstrating an unchallenged market dominance. Interestingly, Kusama’s works lead not only in total auction turnover but also exhibit exceptional secondary market liquidity for her signature 'Polka Dots' and 'Infinity Nets', often outperforming many top-tier male artists. Compared to the rest of the list, Kusama’s prices show a 'staggering gap,' with an average appreciation rate over the last decade that far exceeds the broader contemporary art market indices. This serves as both a testament to her artistic value and a successful commercial feedback loop, where her cultural symbols continue to translate effectively into the digital age.