Jeff Koons Contemporary Pop Artist Mrs. Fox – Spring 2014
Biography Jeff Koons was born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Maryland Institute College of Art Koons plucks images and objects from popular culture – Pop Art Movement Once married to Italian porn star Ilona Staller “Cicciolina”– they have one son together – he and Koons are estranged
Pop Art Movement A form of art that depicts objects or scenes from everyday life and employs techniques of commercial art and/or mass production
Methodology Koons developed a color- by-numbers system, so each of his assistants can execute his work as if done "by a single hand". Has mass productiion studio in a SoHo loft in New York with 100 plus assistants, each assigned to a different aspect of producing his work— similar to Andy Warhol's Factory Albert Shelton (Marie Smith’s cousin) is one of Koons’ artists Koons’ studio consists of sculpture and painting fabrication and the color and prep processes are staged and organized by professional artists working with him.
Big Bucks Koons' work holds the world record auction price for a work by a living artist. The largest sum known to be paid for a work by Koons is Tulips which was sold to hotel mogul Steve Wynn for $33,682,500 at Christie's New York on November 14, 2012
Two views on Koons’ artwork: Some view his work as pioneering and of major art-historical importance. Others dismiss his work as kitsch:kitsch – is a style of mass- produced art or design using cultural icons seen as unsubstantial or gaudy works - calculated to have popular appeal. The Critics
Fun Fact In 2010, Jeff Koons was the artist chosen to design the 17th in the series of BMW "Art Cars“ – a BMW M3 Other BMW Art cars were created by Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Frank Stella
Girl with Dolphin and Monkey, Jeff Koons, Oil on Canvas, Pop Art
Tulips, Jeff Koons, Stainless Steel Mirror Finish, Pop Art
Hulk Elvis III, Jeff Koons, Oil on Canvas, Pop Art
Michael Jackson and Bubbles, Jeff Koons, Porcelain, Pop Art