Chris Ofili - Shit Art

Chris Ofili, Turner Prize winner 1998, is currently exhibiting at Tate Britain bringing together over 45 paintings from the mid 1990s until now. His intensely coloured works, bring a light and warm air to his work. He produces a rich layering, most notably his use of dung and resin defines his work from his contemporaries.

His earlier works concerned London's black culture with influences from Hip Hop to the prostitution scene of Kings Cross. Ofili's work provides a stark contrast between the feminine painting style and the objectification of women which his paintings may suggest.

Personally, i find his work to be visually appealing, holding a strong sense of humour. His work is a representation of him as a person and his journey through life, with clearly visible references to show this. I have little time for art, which relies upon a 4 page essay to understand each piece. Chris Ofili provides a counterance to this producing contemporary art for now. He has not fallen for the arrogance and pretension which pollutes much of the contemporary scene.

The exhibition is certainly worth visiting if in London. It is not, however, groundbreaking enough to deserve a special visit.

Terry World - Terry Richardson

Terry Richardson, an infamous leader in the fashion photography world. His disgusting and vulgar nature provides the appeal to his work. Selections of his works are so perverse, they would not be legally sold as pornography. Despite this reputation which generates much public disgust he is grossly in demand. Top magazines are clamouring to feature his work whilst celebrities fight to be the latest feature.

His celebrity models have stretched the entire cultural spectrum from the usually risqué Macauley Culkin and Jackass cast to respected figures such as Barack Obama. the level of perversion alters dependent on the clientele allowing him to work with such a wide cast.










I recently purchased his book Terryworld which includes many of his most profane works. Some of the images were described as disgusting by members of my house; however I failed to see the book as shocking. Instead i found it rather amusing, particularly the photo below.


This publication to me marks a change in society. Where such levels of crude imagery become normalised. A variety of online and offline stockists have sold this book to much success; quantifying our taste for such images. His works stretches the limits of 'art' to the extreme without using this as the selling point.

A talented photographer and truly modern individual he represents the forefront of western culture today.

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