Deborah Kass

Deborah Kass (born 1952) is an American artist who lives and works in New York City. She is known for her work in mixed media, and is most recognized for her paintings, prints, photography, sculptures and neon lighting installations. Kass's early work mimics and reworks signature styles of iconic male artists of the 20th century including Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Ed Ruscha. Kass's technique of appropriation is a critical commentary on the intersection of social power relations, identity politics, and the historically dominant position of male artists in the art world.

Kass was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1952. She studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1974. After graduating, Kass moved to New York City to pursue a career as an artist. She quickly became involved in the city's vibrant art scene, and she began exhibiting her work in galleries and museums.

In the early 1980s, Kass began to experiment with appropriation art. She began to create works that mimicked the styles of iconic male artists of the 20th century. Kass's work was often humorous and satirical, and it offered a critical commentary on the art world and the role of women in it.

In 1985, Kass created her most famous work, "My Elvis." This painting is a parody of Andy Warhol's famous "Campbell's Soup Cans" series. In "My Elvis," Kass replaced Warhol's soup cans with images of Elvis Presley. The painting was a critical success, and it helped to establish Kass as a leading figure in the appropriation art movement.

Kass has continued to create innovative and thought-provoking work throughout her career. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and she has received numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1995. Kass is a respected artist whose work continues to challenge and inspire audiences.

Kass's work has been praised by critics for its originality, its humor, and its social commentary. She is a respected artist whose work continues to challenge and inspire audiences.