Julian Opie
THE STREET #2, 2020
Lasercut in colors on mounted museum board
18 x 37 x 1 1/2 in
45.7 x 94 x 3.8 cm
Available at Surovek Gallery
Julian Opie’s (b.1958) works are currently on exhibit in a solo show in London, a solo show in Belgium and a group show at the National Art Centre in Tokyo.
The Tokyo exhibit examines the way in which the works of Julain Opie and other Young British Artists (YBAs) explored themes of popular culture, personal identity, and shifting social structures in 1990s Britain.
Opie was born in London and raised in Oxford. He graduated from Goldsmith’s School of Art in London in 1983, the same year that his works were shown at the Lisson Gallery. Work by Keith Haring was also included in that show. The following year Opie was given a solo exhibit at the gallery.
Many of Opie’s early works were painted steel sculptures. As his practice evolved Opie began to use computer graphics, LED technology and mixed media.
He compares his style to that of early Renaissance painters, who used simplified perspective in their works. “I don’t invent or imagine things, just notice and record them.” he said, “The choices about scale, style, language, materials and reference are my tools.
Opie has an impressive collection of paintings by 17th and 18th century Old Masters and works by contemporary and modern American, Chinese and Japanese artists.
Opie’s works can be found in many public art collections, including the Tate, the British Museum, Victoria & Albert, Arts Council, British Council and National Portrait Gallery in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, ICA in Boston, Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, the Essl Collection in Vienna, IVAM in Spain, Berardo Collection Museum in Lisbon, The Israel Museum in Jerusalem and Takamatsu City Museum of Art in Japan.
YBA&Beyond: British Art in the 90s from the Tate Collection will be on view at the National Centre in Tokyo through May 11, 2026.
Julian Opie lives and works in London.
References:
Stuart Jeffries. Julian Opie: 'I'm not sure what art is’. The Guardian. June 12, 2011.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the work of Julian Opie available at Surovek Gallery.
