Spotlight on Fire Talk by Robert Nava

Contemporary Art

A highlight of our Contemporary Art sale is Fire Talk (2019) by Robert Nava, one of the most closely watched painters to emerge in recent years. His work has divided the art world since he first burst onto the scene in 2020, provoking sharp critical resistance to his unruly, anti-establishment charge, even as it has drawn a devoted collector base.

Now 41, Nava is represented by galleries including Pace, which have carefully limited the works that reach the market, making an appearance like this one exceptionally rare.

Robert Nava, Fire Talk, 2019

Est. $80,000–$150,000 

Fire Talk comes from a single, original owner, acquired directly from Sorry We’re Closed, the Brussels gallery that exhibited the painting at the Armory Show in spring 2020, right as Nava’s work began to break through. The title is a nod to its central subject, a fire-breathing dragon, a fitting image for the tension at the heart of Nava’s practice. 

A work of this scale and quality rarely comes to market. The last comparable work by Nava sold for over $400,000 at Christie’s last year, making this estimate a striking opportunity. Collecting Nava directly means navigating waitlists at galleries, while the auction format offers open access instead: no line, no waitlist, no hassle, just the chance to bid.

Other Works Live for Bidding in Contemporary Art