Onbu (grey)
Onbu (grey)
Signed Print
Stik
£9,500-£14,500Value Indicator
$19,000-$30,000 Value Indicator
$17,000-$27,000 Value Indicator
¥90,000-¥140,000 Value Indicator
€11,500-€17,000 Value Indicator
$100,000-$150,000 Value Indicator
¥1,850,000-¥2,820,000 Value Indicator
$12,000-$19,000 Value Indicator
AAGR (5 years) This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren't enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Medium: Woodcut
Edition size: 15
Year: 2013
Size: H 47cm x W 20cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Location | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | SBI Art Auction | Japan | |||
| September 2024 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| March 2021 | Sotheby's London | United Kingdom | |||
| September 2020 | Christie's London | United Kingdom | |||
| March 2019 | Christie's London | United Kingdom |
Meaning & Analysis
Onbu (grey) is a woodcut print by street artists, Stik, and was released in 2013 in a signed, limited edition of 15. Produced using traditional ukiyo-e techniques, this intimate depiction of a piggyback is based on a detail from Utagawa Hiroshige’s series of woodcut prints entitled The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido.
While the inspiration behind this work is particular, it calls attention to a quiet moment of interaction and recognition, as in other works by the artist such as Holding Hands and Big Mother. Similarly to the way in which Stik’s murals and prints focus on an intimate moment within a frenetic urban context, here the artist isolates a fragment of a chaotic historical scene.
Recalling the Japanese origins of the inspiration behind Stik’s iconic style, the Onbu prints were produced using traditional ukiyo-e techniques. The act of making ukiyo-e prints begins with the creation of the design on paper, which is then transferred to a cherry wood block for printing. Afterwards, the pattern is carved into the block, which may then be used to create initial monochromatic prints before adding layers of extra colour as needed via the cutting of further blocks.
London-based street artist, Stik, is celebrated for his distinctive and minimalistic style. By solely using simple, stick-figures, Stik is able to convey profound messages through his work and advocate for marginalised social communities. Inclusivity and resilience underpin his iconic stick-figure motif, with the likes of Liberty and Single Mum promoting empathy and human connection. Having been homeless when starting out as a graffiti artist, Stik developed an affinity to the Hackney community who helped him find his feet, and he now sees his street art as a way to give back to those who helped him.
