Donald Sultan b. 1951
Born in 1951, Donald Sultan is an American contemporary painter from Asheville, North Carolina. He received his BFA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and moved to New York City after completing his MFA with the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. In the late 1970s, he rose to prominence as part of the New Image movement in New York with his first solo exhibition in 1977.
Sultan describes his body of work as abstract including large-scale compositions of still life imagery deconstructed into basic forms. His subject matter depicts everyday objects such as fruits, flowers, and playing cards set in rich colors against striking black backgrounds. In an innovative technique, he utilizes industrial materials such as tar and oil on tile over Masonite construction in reference to his North Carolina upbringing. Sultan has also created successful work as a draftsman, printmaker, and sculptor.
His work is included in internationally renowned collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tate Gallery in London, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Sultan lives and creates in New York.
Auction Results Donald Sultan

Donald Sultan
Four Reds Sept 30 2002
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $3,250

Donald Sultan
Playing Cards
estimate: $150–250
result: $282

Donald Sultan
Playing Cards
estimate: $150–250
result: $293

Donald Sultan
Wallflowers
estimate: $1,800–2,400
result: $1,875

Donald Sultan
Wallflowers
estimate: $1,800–2,400
result: $1,875

Donald Sultan
Pomegranates III
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,750

Donald Sultan
Smoke Ring (June 6, 2001)
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,375

Donald Sultan
Diamonds and Clubs from the Playing Cards portfolio (two works)
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,500

Donald Sultan
Untitled (Dark Purple with Green) from Wall Flowers 2
estimate: $1,800–2,400
result: $2,500

Donald Sultan
Wall Flower 6
estimate: $1,800–2,400
result: $1,750

Donald Sultan
Pomegranates II
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $2,750

Donald Sultan
Black Trumpet
estimate: $1,800–2,400
result: $1,375

Donald Sultan
Lilies
estimate: $800–1,000
result: $1,750

Donald Sultan
Wallflowers
estimate: $1,500–1,800
result: $1,750

Donald Sultan
Wallflowers
estimate: $1,500–1,800
result: $2,375