The unique, unmistakable, innovative work of Jeff Koons has made him one of the most prominent figures of the art of our time. Lacking the aura of inaccessibility that surrounds other contemporary works of art, his instantly recognizable creations appeal to the general public and draw on countless art historical sources, such as Surrealism, Pop Art, and Dada. Koons has a unique style that allows seemingly contradictory concepts to coexist harmoniously in his work. The oeuvre of Jeff Koons is a statement of self-affirmation, his paintings and sculptures invite us to reassert our individuality and flout certain taboos and conventions that box us in, limiting our role in society. Koons uses art as a wake-up call, a driving force of social change. The false luxury of some of his pieces, achieved by using industrial materials made to look deceptively lavish, and his references to well-known archetypes make viewers feel comfortable with their own cultural history.
Critics and audiences alike have been surprised by the unexpected ideas Jeff Koons has presented at different exhibitions throughout his career. Now, for the first time, the public will be able to enjoy a comprehensive survey of his coherent, structured, profoundly innovative, awe-inspiring output.
This exhibition was organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, Paris, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
Jeff Koons
Rabbit, 1986
Stainless steel
104.10 x 48.30 x 30.50 cm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; partial gift of Stefan T. Edlis and H. Gael Neeson, 2000.2
© Jeff Koons