Results of the Important Canadian Outsider and Folk Art Auction at Waddington’s (August 2025)
On August 28, 2025, Toronto’s Waddington’s presented its auction Important Canadian Outsider and Folk Art, a key event for collectors of Canadian folk art and naïve art. Featuring nearly 100 lots, the sale revealed a highly contrasting market: some works soared well above expectations, while others struggled to find buyers at estimated prices.
The Canadian folk art market: between soaring highs and missed expectations
Canadian folk art occupies a unique place in the art world: rooted in tradition, storytelling, and raw aesthetics, it continues to attract an expanding circle of collectors. This auction showed once again that established names such as Joe Norris and Bradford Naugler command strong bids, while lesser-known or anonymous works remain more vulnerable.
Top 5 Best Performances
Joe Norris – Painted Over Mantel, 1985
Estimate: 2,000–3,000 CAD → Sold: 11,000 CAD
A spectacular result confirming Norris as a central figure of Canadian naïve art.
Bradford Naugler – Rooster on the Barn, 1999
Estimate: 300–400 CAD → Sold: 850 CAD
Nova Scotia continues to shine through this master of Canadian folk art.
Phil Melvin – Prince Charles & Lady Diana
Estimate: 300–500 CAD → Sold: 750 CAD
Folk art’s strength lies in collective memory and storytelling, as this piece demonstrates.
Edmond Chatigny – Standing Green Polka Dot Jockey
Estimate: 200–300 CAD → Sold: 650 CAD
A singular sculpture showcasing the bold creativity of Quebec folk art.
Edmond Chatigny – Large Flower Pot with Birds
Estimate: 2,000–3,000 CAD → Sold: 2,600 CAD
A solid performance in the higher range of the estimate, confirming sustained interest in Chatigny’s work.
Top 5 Underperformers
Prudent Vianneau – Bird Tree
Estimate: 800–1,200 CAD → Sold: 440 CAD
Sold for less than half of the low estimate.
Ewald Rentz – Standing Man with Sign
Estimate: 800–1,200 CAD → Sold: 440 CAD
Similar to Vianneau: limited bidder interest despite name recognition.
Edward "Eddie" Mandaggio – Peacock
Estimate: 400–600 CAD → Sold: 260 CAD
A disappointing result despite Mandaggio’s growing profile.
Philip Melvin – The Lady that Screw Up Mr. Goat’s Reputation
Estimate: 200–300 CAD → Sold: 100 CAD
A reminder that humor in folk art doesn’t always resonate with auction audiences.
20th Century Canadian School – Rooster
Estimate: 300–400 CAD → Sold: 180 CAD
Anonymous works continue to struggle compared to those with strong artist recognition.
Key Takeaways and Trends
Confirmed successes: Joe Norris and Bradford Naugler remain staples of Canadian naïve art, with results far exceeding expectations.
Wide gaps from estimates: many works were sold below their expected value, underscoring how selective the market has become.
The power of storytelling: works connected to recognizable figures or strong narratives (such as Lady Diana or regional traditions) proved particularly appealing to buyers.
This Waddington’s auction perfectly illustrates the vitality and volatility of the Canadian folk art market. While some established artists soar far above estimates, others serve as reminders that name recognition and storytelling are often the keys to success at auction.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this sale is a clear invitation to watch closely the growth of outsider and folk art in Canada—a segment still young but increasingly asserting its place in the art market.
Canadian folk art, Canadian naïve art, outsider art, Waddington’s auctions, Joe Norris, Bradford Naugler, Edmond Chatigny.