Great Britain
* December 29, 1958 London
Julian Opie’s art is characterized by a highly minimalistic style. Figures, objects, or landscapes are reduced to their essential lines and surfaces; in the case of people, for example, details such as eyes, noses, and hair are absent or at least very much simplified. His landscapes appear as if they have been digitally edited or like computer-generated environments. Clear, black contours and homogenous areas of color dominate the artist’s works, similar to traffic signs or pictograms. Despite this strong simplification, however, the individual character of the people depicted remains recognizable.
Opie’s art is not limited to paintings and sculptures; he also works with large flat screens or displays on which computer-controlled, minimalist figures walk, constantly moving yet never leaving their spot. His art is often seen as a further development of Pop Art, as he combines modern everyday scenes with digital technology.
