Contemporary Prints — A1119: Contemporary Curated
Damien Hirst is a seminal figure in contemporary art, well-known for his provocative and often controversial works that explore themes of death, rebirth, and the boundaries of art itself. As a leading member of the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s, Hirst catapulted to fame with his innovative approach to art that combines the techniques of installation, sculpture, and painting.
Damien Hirst's early career was marked by his organization of the pivotal "Freeze" exhibition in 1988, showcasing his and his peers' work, which caught the attention of influential art collectors. This period laid the groundwork for his signature works, including the 'Natural History' series, where animals such as sharks, sheep, and cows are preserved in formaldehyde, challenging viewers to confront the nature of existence and the inevitability of death.
Among Damien Hirst's most iconic pieces is "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," featuring a tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde, and "For the Love of God," a platinum cast of an 18th-century human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds. These works exemplify Hirst's exploration of mortality and the commodification of art.
Damien Hirst's 'Spot Paintings' and 'Spin Paintings' further demonstrate his challenge to traditional notions of authorship and the creative process, often involving teams of assistants in their production. These series play with concepts of randomness, control, and the aesthetic joys of color and form, pushing the boundaries of painting as a medium.
In 2017, Hirst embarked on "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable," an ambitious project that filled Venetian museums with artifacts from a fictional ancient shipwreck. This project, blending reality and fiction, invited audiences to question the authenticity and value of art, showcasing Hirst's ongoing interest in storytelling and myth-making within the context of contemporary culture.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Damien Hirst represents a pivotal figure whose works challenge, provoke, and inspire. His ability to blur the lines between art, science, and commerce has left an indelible mark on the art world, making his pieces highly sought after by collectors around the globe.
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Peter Kogler is an Austrian artist who creates illusionary spaces.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and teaches at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
Peter Kogler is a pioneering artist in the field of computer art. Using cutting-edge technology, the artist uses a series of repeating motifs materialized in various forms: two- and three-dimensional prints, sculptures, furniture, wallpaper, lighting fixtures, collages and other installations.
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have appeared on streets, walls and bridges throughout the world. Banksy's work grew out of the Bristol underground scene, which involved collaborations between artists and musicians. Banksy says that he was inspired by 3D, a graffiti artist and founding member of the musical group Massive Attack.
Vik Muniz is a Brazilian artist and photographer. Initially a sculptor, Muniz grew interested with the photographic representations of his work, eventually focusing completely on photography. Primarily working with unconventional materials such as tomato sauce, diamonds, magazine clippings, chocolate syrup, dust, dirt, etc., Muniz creates works of art, referencing old master's paintings and celebrity portraits, among other things, and then photographs them. His work has been met with both commercial success and critical acclaim, and has been exhibited worldwide. He is currently represented by Galeria Nara Roesler based in New York and Brazil.
Peter Doig, a Scottish painter, is renowned for his distinct, evocative style that captures elements of the natural world intertwined with a sense of the fantastical. Known for his vibrant use of color and imaginative landscapes, Doig's works often explore themes of memory and nostalgia, heavily influenced by his experiences in Canada, Trinidad, and the United Kingdom.
Peter Doig’s journey in the art world gained significant momentum after his education at Chelsea College of Arts, which was followed by his winning the prestigious Whitechapel Artist Prize in 1991. This recognition led to a solo exhibition at the Whitechapel Art Gallery where he showcased key works that helped define his career, such as "Swamped" and "The Architect's Home in the Ravine."
Throughout his career, Peter Doig has demonstrated a mastery of painting, evident in works like "White Canoe" and "Echo Lake," which reside in major collections such as the Tate and the Saatchi Collection. His art not only reflects his personal history and travels but also incorporates elements from cinema and photography, giving his paintings a dream-like quality that invites viewers to interpret their narratives.
Peter Doig's work has been exhibited worldwide, including significant retrospectives at the Fondation Beyeler in Basel and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. His achievements in the art world have been recognized with numerous awards, including being named the 2017 Whitechapel Gallery Art Icon.
For those interested in the contemporary art scene, Peter Doig remains a pivotal figure whose works continue to inspire and provoke deep reflection. Art collectors and enthusiasts keen on following updates related to new sales and auction events featuring Doig’s work can sign up for targeted updates here.
Neo Rauch is a German artist whose paintings mine the intersection of his personal history with the politics of industrial alienation. His work reflects the influence of socialist realism, and owes a debt to Surrealists Giorgio de Chirico and René Magritte, although Rauch hesitates to align himself with surrealism. He studied at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, and he lives in Markkleeberg near Leipzig, Germany and works as the principal artist of the New Leipzig School. The artist is represented by Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin and David Zwirner, New York.
Rauch's paintings suggest a narrative intent but, as art historian Charlotte Mullins explains, closer scrutiny immediately presents the viewer with enigmas: "Architectural elements peter out; men in uniform from throughout history intimidate men and women from other centuries; great struggles occur but their reason is never apparent; styles change at a whim."
Yehudit Sasportas (Hebrew: יהודית סספורטס) is an Israeli artist. She is active in Israel and Germany. In 1997 she was awarded the Ingeborg Bachman Scholarship for her work and in 1999 the Nathan Gottesdiener Foundation prize.
