Ryan Hewett, Chimp, 2018
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Main reasons to invest
Return potential: An investment of €500 could reach an estimated value of €939 in 4 years.
Cost-to-return ratio: After deducting 3.7% in annual total costs, your net return could reach 23.4% per year.
A powerful psychological portrait at a pivotal moment: Chimp draws the viewer into Hewett’s textured, introspective world. The scale, colour and layered surface create a sense of presence that feels almost sculptural. As Hewett’s profile grows internationally, owning a major early work offers both emotional depth and long‑term cultural relevance.
Description
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Investment Horizon | 2–3 Years |
| Balanced CAGR | 23.4% p.a. |
| Optimistic CAGR | 24.6% p.a. |
| Entry Basis | 25% below gallery pricing |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.76 (vs. SMI: 0.61) |
| Value at Risk (VaR) | 84.9% chance to exceed €38,100 after 3 years |
| Standard Deviation | 33.3% |
| Risk Rating | B (7.2/10 - Moderate Risk) |
- 2–3 year horizon: Fits Hewett’s rising visibility and steady primary-market demand.
- 23.4% net ROI p.a. (balanced): Based on achieving 80% of Hewett’s historical 20.1% CAGR plus the impact of a favourable entry discount.
- 24.6% CAGR (optimistic): Supported by the artist’s expanding global footprint and strengthening gallery support.
- 25% entry discount: The GBP 30,000 price offers clear value against comparable works priced around GBP 40,000.
- Sharpe ratio 0.76: Indicates a solid risk-adjusted profile relative to the SMI benchmark.
- 33.3% standard deviation: In line with volatility seen for mid-career contemporary artists.
- 84.9% VaR probability: High likelihood that the artwork exceeds €38,100 after three years.
- Risk rating B: Moderate volatility balanced by strong artist trajectory and attractive pricing.
Contemporary art has shown consistent long-term appreciation driven by cultural relevance, growing global collector bases, and strong institutional demand. When an artist gains museum recognition and upper-tier gallery representation, early works often experience accelerated value growth. High-quality unique paintings by rising contemporary artists offer a blend of scarcity, narrative depth and market momentum, especially when pricing sits below current gallery benchmarks.
Ryan Hewett (b. 1979) is a South African-born artist whose portraits sit between abstraction and figuration. Working with thick oil impasto, palette knives and sculptural texture, he creates works that explore identity, memory and the psychological inner world. His style draws on Cubist structure and Surrealist imagination while remaining unmistakably contemporary.
Hewett has gained strong traction across major art markets. Recent solo shows include Asia Art Centre (Taipei), UTA Artist Space (Los Angeles) and The Goss Michael Foundation (Dallas). His work also appears in important public and private collections such as the Nassima Landau Foundation, Amoli Foundation and the Goss Michael Foundation.
Chimp (2018) is one of Hewett’s major large-scale works at 134 × 220 cm. Its scale, subject and technical execution make it especially desirable for collectors seeking a statement piece. The 25% discount relative to gallery pricing adds meaningful value.
Hewett’s recent explorations of themes such as transhumanism and future identity, particularly in his Nexus series, signal an artist evolving at pace. With growing visibility and cultural relevance, including a commission for The Game Awards, demand for major works is expected to strengthen.
Chimp offers a combination of strong recent price performance, favourable entry pricing and rising international recognition for the artist. With a projected 23.4% annual return and a clear 2–3 year horizon, the work stands as a data-backed opportunity within the contemporary painting space.
Expert
Founded in Singapore in 1994, Opera Gallery has forged, over its 30 years, a network of 16 galleries worldwide including London, Paris, New York, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Seoul, establishing itself as one of the leading global players within the international art market. Headed by Gilles Dyan, Opera Gallery specialises in post-war French art, and in Modern and Contemporary European, American, and Asian art. In addition, the gallery represents international emerging artists such as Andy Denzler, Anthony James and Gustavo Nazareno. and more established contemporary artists such as Ron Arad, Manolo Valdés, and Anselm Reyle.
