The recent headlines around Dan Colen’s canvas Holy Shit—a work that saw a "jaw-dropping 96% drop in value" at auction according to ArtNews—feel like more than just a market correction. It begs the question: has the art world finally turned on the gimmick?
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For years, quick-flash ideas and conceptual stunts were sold at outragious prices. Works that thrived more on shock or novelty than substance were celebrated as the next wave of contemporary genius. But as the Colen sale showed, gimmicks are fragile. They age quickly. As someone who loves clever art puns (and I really do love them) I think the piece has to be timely and fresh. Perhaps that's why these works don't work being resold years later. They had their moment and that time has passed.
True investments in art have always been found in work that carries depth, integrity, and a sense of timelessness. Paintings and sculptures that are grounded in skill, vision, and lasting relevance continue to resonate—not only with collectors, but with new generations of viewers. They are not tethered to a fleeting headline or a one-liner concept.
The Colen sale may be a cautionary tale, but it also serves as a reminder: art with substance endures. Trends will come and go, markets will rise and fall, but work created with authentic intent and rooted in time-tested quality will always be a safe investment in the long term.
