Renowned artist George Condo’s latest pastels, now on view at Hauser & Wirth and Sprüth Magers, are a thought-provoking exploration of the fragmented human psyche.
The artist’s latest pastels, now on view at both Hauser & Wirth and Sprüth Magers, are an electrifying, expressive translation of the fractured nature of the contemporary mind.
George Condo is a prominent American contemporary artist known for his vibrant and often provocative paintings, sculptures, and prints.
Born in 1957 in Queens, New York, Condo rose to prominence in the 1980s with his unique blend of Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism.
His works frequently feature bold colors, distorted forms, and satirical depictions of historical figures and cultural icons.
Condo's style has been influenced by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
A Conceptually Sharp yet Disconcerting Practice
There’s something about George Condo’s art that has cemented his place as one of the most sought-after artists today. Coveted by collectors, fueling endless waiting lists, and commanding ever-soaring prices, his work has become both an aesthetic and market force. Known for his overtly cartoonish yet tridimensional and still realistic characters that freely riff on art historical references, Condo’s style has undergone an evolution over the years.
Investigating the Human Condition
Throughout his oeuvre, Condo has maintained a constant, relentless exploration of the human condition, investigating the tensions and contradictions that emerge from the interplay between the complexities of minds, emotions, and the subconscious. His paintings have always carried a sharp edge of humor and the grotesque: a tragicomic theatricality that amplifies the absurdity of contemporary existence.
The Evolution of Condo’s Practice
Condo’s latest works, however, represent a radical shift in his practice. He has come to understand the deeper impulses that push him to create, and his art-making process is now more like a “dream of consciousness”—an unconscious, almost accidental search for human expressions that emerge from chaotic abstraction.
A Desire to Liberate the Figures
Condo’s figures are profoundly fractured, their very sense of identity seemingly shattered. As if something essential within them—something existential—has been irreparably broken. Speaking at the Hauser & Wirth press preview, “Where are we as a species? What is happening to this world? What is our role in all this?” Condo explained that his figures reflect our collective struggle with fundamental questions.
Condo’s Figures: A Representation of Dehumanization
For Condo, the expressive immediacy of pastel allows for greater artistic freedom—an escape from both social and subconscious constraints. His unapologetically disruptive style is, above all, an act of resistance against what he sees as an increasingly suppressive world.
A Process of Uninterrupted Flow
Condo’s process is akin to automatic writing, where the rapidity of the gesture is key to channeling the world around him without mediation or restraint. “It’s like I’m a boxer,” he says, noting his appreciation for how sports unfold unscripted, unpredictable, and raw.
The Transpersonal Nature of Condo’s Art
Condo’s art stems from this liminal space where personal and collective subconscious converge. His work reflects the deep unease of watching things spiral out of control. “I can see where everything’s going off the rails, and this does disturb me deeply,” he explains.
George Condo is an American contemporary artist known for his vibrant and often provocative paintings, sculptures, and prints.
Born in 1957 in New York City, Condo's work combines elements of Pop Art, Surrealism, and Baroque painting styles.
His subjects range from portraits of celebrities to still lifes and abstract compositions.
Condo's use of bold colors and distorted forms creates a sense of tension and unease, challenging traditional notions of beauty and representation.
A New Series of Puzzle-Like Portraits
The result is what critics have termed “psychological cubism,” a style in which Condo captures the simultaneous, often contradictory nature of human emotions within a single portrait. More than anything, he is attempting to give form to the “fragmented consciousness” that defines our era.
A Window into Possibilities
Condo remains convinced that art’s ultimate role is not merely to document reality but to liberate the mind from it. He hopes his art can achieve a sense of peaceful harmony found in Monet’s paintings. “I would love to live in a Monet painting,” he muses. “It would be so beautiful.”
George Condo, an American artist, developed a unique philosophy that combines elements of pop culture, surrealism, and abstraction.
He believes in the power of art to challenge societal norms and expectations.
Condo's work often features distorted or exaggerated facial expressions, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
By incorporating various styles and mediums, he aims to create a sense of unease and discomfort in viewers, encouraging them to question their perceptions.
This philosophy is reflected in his extensive body of work, including paintings, sculptures, and prints.
