Stardust in a Secondhand Store
Imagine walking into a thrift shop and grabbing a painting for five bucks—only to find out it was made by David Bowie. That’s exactly what happened in Ontario, Canada, and yes, it’s as wild as it sounds. One small painting from a donation center turned into an $88,000 payday.
A Star Among the Dust
The lucky buyer found the piece buried among random art near a landfill donation pile. It didn’t exactly scream “rock legend,” but something about it stood out. Turns out, that little burst of curiosity was worth a small fortune.
The Hidden Gem Revealed
The painting, called DHead XLVI, wasn’t just some cool-looking portrait. It was one of Bowie’s original works from the late 1990s, part of a personal art series he made during one of his most creative eras. Talk about finding hidden treasure in plain sight.
Rob Cowley speaks with CBC's The National about David Bowie's DHead XLVI, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
Bowie: The Man Who Fell to Earth—and Painted It Too
Before he became a musical icon, David Bowie—born David Robert Jones in 1947—was just a London kid fascinated by art and sound. His passion for painting started long before the fame. Even as Ziggy Stardust, he never stopped seeing the world through an artist’s eyes.
The Visionary Beyond Music
Bowie wasn’t just a singer; he was a walking art project. From his album covers to his outlandish costumes, everything he touched had visual flair. Painting was just another way for him to channel that endless creativity.
Enter the “Dead Head” Series
The Dead Head series was Bowie’s moody side project from 1995 to 1997. He painted about 47 portraits inspired by his friends, bandmates, and himself. Each one looks like a glimpse into his ever-changing identity.
Mark and Colleen Hayward, Getty Images
A $5 Gamble That Paid Off
When the buyer picked up the small 9.75 x 8-inch painting for just five Canadian dollars, they had no clue what they were holding. It was probably tossed in with old prints and forgotten posters. Turns out, it was worth way more than the change in their pocket.
A Signature Discovery
The real “aha!” moment came when someone flipped the painting over. On the back was Bowie’s signature, along with a tag listing his name and the year it was made. That tiny detail turned an ordinary thrift find into a verified Bowie original.
Introducing An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
The Experts Step In
The painting was sent to Cowley Abbott, a Toronto-based auction house, for evaluation. Rob Cowley, the president, immediately realized they had something special. Bowie’s art is rare enough, but finding one by accident? That’s once-in-a-lifetime stuff.
Introducing An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
Bidding Wars Across Continents
Once the auction opened, things got chaotic—in a good way. Nearly 50 bids poured in from collectors all over Canada and even as far away as Australia. Bowie’s fanbase has always been global, so it’s no surprise everyone wanted a piece of him.
Introducing An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
The Price That Shocked Everyone
After a few wild days of bidding, the final sale price landed at 108,120 Canadian dollars, which comes out to roughly $88,000 USD. Not bad for a painting that cost less than a fast-food combo meal. That’s the kind of luck you only see in movies.
Breaking Bowie’s Own Record
This sale didn’t just make headlines—it broke records. The previous high for a Bowie painting was around $39,000 back in 2016. This one more than doubled that, proving that Bowie’s work keeps getting more valuable with time.
Introducing An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
The “Hollywood Effect” Explained
According to the auction house, this massive jump in price is part of what they call the “Hollywood effect.” Basically, when an artwork has a famous name—or an incredible story—its value skyrockets. Bowie had both.
Introducing An Important Private Collection of Canadian Art, Cowley Abbott Fine Art
Bowie’s Art Was Deeply Personal
Painting wasn’t a side hustle for Bowie—it was part of who he was. He once said he painted to make sense of himself and the people around him. His art was raw, emotional, and totally him.
David Bowie Painting Found in Northern Ontario, Breakfast Television
From Ziggy Stardust to Abstract Portraits
Bowie loved reinvention. Whether he was Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, or just David, he never stopped evolving. His art followed that same pattern—moody, abstract, and full of identity shifts.
Bowie Delivers a Record-Breaking Night for British Art, Sotheby's
The Cultural Alchemist
Bowie didn’t separate art from life. He mixed music, painting, film, and fashion like ingredients in some cosmic recipe. The result? A body of work that still feels futuristic even decades later.
Bowie Delivers a Record-Breaking Night for British Art, Sotheby's
A Master of Reinvention
Every time fans thought they had Bowie figured out, he changed again. That same spirit lives in his paintings, where every brushstroke feels like another version of him. It’s why his art, like his music, still resonates.
Bowie Delivers a Record-Breaking Night for British Art, Sotheby's
A Lucky Find For The Ages
The anonymous buyer who spotted the painting has become a legend among thrift shoppers. Imagine dropping $5 on what you think is wall filler and discovering it’s Bowie’s original art. They didn’t just find a painting—they found a story that’ll never stop being retold.
Showcase: David Bowie's Art Collection, TRT World
The Art World Takes Notice
After the sale, collectors started viewing Bowie’s artwork differently. No longer just a musician dabbling in paint, he’s now considered a legitimate visual artist. The auction gave his paintings the recognition they deserve.
Showcase: David Bowie's Art Collection, TRT World
Bowie’s Legacy Never Fades
Even years after passing in 2016, Bowie’s creativity keeps shining. His influence spans music, fashion, and now fine art. It’s proof that true artists never really leave—they just keep inspiring new generations.
Roger Woolman, Wikimedia Commons
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