The volume of Sales in the Primary Market 

Based on the data obtained from the survey, in 2021, the annual sales volume of the members of the Art Gallery Association, Beijing, in the primary market totals around 5400 works. 56% of the galleries sold more than 100 pieces annually. 

• Galleries with annual sales lower than 50 pieces accounted for 42%, which decreased by 5% year-over-year.
• Galleries with annual sales between 50 and 100 pieces accounted for 22%, which decreased by 3% year-over-year.
• Galleries with annual sales between 100 and 150 pieces accounted for 14%, which increased by 5% year-over-year.
• Galleries with annual sales higher than 150 pieces accounted for 22%, which increased by 4% year-over-year.

Note: In 2021, the total sales volume of Galleries in Beijing in the primary market increased by nearly 10% compared with that in 2020, among which the number of galleries that sold more than 100 pieces annually increased by 8% year-over-year.

1. Price Range of Single Artworks Sold by Galleries in Beijing (Multiple Choices)

Price points of most artworks sold by galleries in Beijing lie in the following ranges: lower than ¥50,000, between ¥50,000 and ¥100,000, between ¥100,000 and ¥500,000, between ¥500,000 and ¥1,000,000, and higher than ¥1,000,000.

• 30% of the galleries sold most artworks for ¥50,000 or less in 2021.
• 38% of the galleries sold most artworks for between ¥50,000 and ¥100,000 in 2021.
• 72% of the galleries sold most artworks for between ¥100,000 and ¥500,000 in 2021.
• 32% of the galleries sold most artworks for between ¥500,000 and ¥1000,000 in 2021.
• 16% of the galleries sold most artworks for ¥1,000,000 or more in 2021.

Note: In 2021, 70% of the gallery sales carry a unit price higher than ¥50,000, while most galleries sold artworks at a unit price between ¥100,000 and ¥500,000. 72% of the galleries made art sales in this range, which is currently the most common price range of artworks sold by mainstream galleries in mainland China. 

As shown by the range of unit prices of gallery sales, business strategies vary from gallery to gallery. Artworks sold by around half of the galleries lie in a single price range, whereas the other half sell artworks in more than two price ranges. 

Galleries that sell artworks in more than three price ranges are generally the ones generating a higher sales revenue. Among those galleries, 70% generate an annual sales revenue between ¥5,000,000 and more than ¥50,000,000. A wide price range indicates an inclusive range of customers and therefore tells the relatively strong capability in business operation.

3. Diversity of Artwork Categories Sold by Galleries in Beijing (Multiple Choices)

• Galleries that sell oil paintings and mixed media accounted for 96%
• Galleries that sell sculptures and installations accounted for 80%
• Galleries that sell contemporary ink art accounted for 46%
• Galleries that sell video art and photography work accounted for 42%
• Galleries that sell prints accounted for 48%
• Galleries that sell other categories accounted for 12%

Note: The major categories of art sold by Galleries in Beijing are contemporary easel paintings (oil and mix media), as well as sculptures and installations, sold by more than 80% of the galleries; galleries that sell other categories, including contemporary ink art, video art, photography and prints accounted for more than 40%. 

In 2020, only 30% of the galleries sold sculptures and installations, and 20% sold video and multimedia works. The market share of categories other than contemporary oil painting has increased significantly, reflecting a more diversified artistic scene of galleries in Beijing in 2021.

4. Whether Galleries in Beijing Sold Artworks Online

A. A General Decrease in Online Sales of Galleries in Beijing

In 2021, 70% of the galleries made online art sales, which decreased by 10% year-over-year.

B. The volume of Online Art Sales of Galleries in Beijing

• In 2021, galleries that didn't achieve online sales accounted for 20%, which decreased by 5% year-over-year.
• In 2021, 16% of the galleries sold 1-3 pieces online, which decreased by 29% year-over-year.
• In 2021, 32% of the galleries sold 4-10 pieces online, which increased by 12% year-over-year.
• In 2021, 32% of the galleries sold more than 10 pieces online, which increased by 22% year-over-year.

Note: In 2021, the pandemic is mainly under control compared to 2020. More galleries are returning to in-person sales, and the volume of online sales made by galleries in 2021 has dropped significantly compared to 2020. This is closely related to the robust recovery of the most core ways of sales–in-person exhibition events and art fairs.