Jeff Koons art is a paragon of kitsch in the best way

Jeff Koons is thought to be the most commercially successful living contemporary artist in the world, and he is also one of the most controversial. Considered “a paragon of kitsch” by some, his pieces have set world records as the most expensive work by a living artist. Here at Maddox Gallery, we are lucky enough to have some of his pieces to share with our visitors.

Jeff Koons balloon dog sets world sales record

Balloon Dog (Orange) was one of the first of the Balloon Dogs to be created, and has since sold for an incredible sum.

In November 2013, it was bought at Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York for a record $58.4 million (£45 million), far beyond its high estimate of US$55 million. This made the piece the most expensive work by a living artist ever sold at auction.

The post-pop movement

Best known for his metal sculptures of balloon animals, Koons turns banal objects into high art icons. He plays with themes of banality, pleasure and commerce, and while his work is often seen as ironic, he insists it is earnest.

“I believe in advertisement and media completely,” Koons has famously claimed. “My art and my personal life are based in it.”

“I’ve always loved Surrealism and Dada and Pop, so I just follow my interests and focus on them,” he stated. “When you do that, things become very metaphysical.”

Within the art world, Koons’ work is labelled as neo-pop or post-Pop, a trend which surfaced in the 1980s as a reaction to the minimalist and conceptualist art favoured in the previous decade.

Koons rejects the notion of any hidden meaning or irony in his artwork. This elevation of unashamed kitsch has divided opinions in the fine art world. However, Koons has become a globally-recognised name, and has also been cited as a major influence by other iconic artists such as Damien Hirst.

He also garnered praise from some art critics. Theorist Samito Jalbuena wrote, “From the beginning of his controversial career, Koons overturned the traditional notion of art inside and out.”

An artist’s love for London

In late 2016, following the Brexit vote, Jeff Koons told the Evening Standard he still believed London would remain “a centre of the art world,” despite any political turmoil which may occur.

“London is very different in culture from anywhere in Europe and even New York,” he explained. “It will continue being important and vital despite any political changes.”

Koons also expressed optimism about the cultural value of cities such as London and New York for young artists, despite the high living costs.

“Artists always want to participate culturally and socially in what’s happening around them. Cities let them discuss ideas and eye the possibilities from living together.”

Jeff Koons art acts as a symbol of hope

Those who buy Jeff Koons art are often billionaires, but the artist has claimed to never have a specific viewer in mind when he creates a new piece. Recently though, he stepped away from this trope, and created an artwork with a particular audience at the heart of it.

In November 2016, Jeff Koons donated a huge sculpture as a gift from the United States to the City of Paris, which will commemorate the victims of the recent terrorist attacks.

Inspired by the hand of the Statue of Liberty, the fistful of tulips will be one of his largest sculptures, reaching a height of 34 feet. Currently under construction, the bronze, stainless steel and aluminum work will be installed in the plaza fronting the Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo.

He stated that tulips were chosen for their “buoyancy.”

“I hope that the ‘Bouquet of Tulips’ can communicate a sense of future, of optimism, the joy of offering, to find something greater outside the self.”

This is the first commemorative work Koons has created, though “Balloon Flower (Red)” is on display outside 7 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

Buy Jeff Koons art at Maddox Gallery

Maddox Gallery is delighted to be able to share Jeff Koons’ iconic balloon dogs with guests to our Mayfair galleries. Our expert art investment consultants are also on hand to advise and educate visitors on all the contemporary artists we represent.

Written by James Nicholls, Managing Director and Curator, Maddox Gallery.