Aniela, singer

Julian Opie (1958 - )

Vinyl stretched on wood

2004

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: India
    City: Chennai
    Place: British Deputy High Commission

    In 'Aniela, singer' the personal characteristics that distinguish every human face have been omitted. Julian Opie has reduced the image down to its essential forms, yet has retained the girl's brown hair and small blue eyes that hint at her real identity. Just as an advertising billboard conveys a message with the minimum of visual detail, the depiction of Aniela has become a symbol of the real person. It is this reduction and the suggestion of her occupation in the title that makes it a compelling image.

    Opie sources his imagery from the everyday world, from fashion models to skyscrapers. His influences are as diverse as classical portraiture, comic books and computer games. Using animation, vinyl, sound and LED displays, his playful explorations of human portraiture challenge our immediate stereotypes of a sitter.

    Julian Opie was born in London where he still lives and works. He studied at Goldsmiths College, London from 1979 to 1982. He has received many commissions for his work: in 2000 he produced portraits of the pop band Blur for their album; and in 2003, he created separate visual art projects for Sadlers Wells theatre and Selfridges.

  • About the artist
    Julian Opie was born in London where he still lives and works. He studied at Goldsmiths College, London from 1979 to 1982. He has received many commissions for his work: in 2000 he produced portraits of the pop band Blur for their album. He has exhibited extensively in the UK and internationally over the last four decades and his work is held in many important collections including Tate, Arts Council Collection and the National Portrait Gallery in the UK.
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    Places
    Materials & Techniques
    vinyl, vinyl fabric, vinyl painting
  • Details
    Title
    Aniela, singer
    Date
    2004
    Medium
    Vinyl stretched on wood
    Dimensions
    height: 192.50 cm, width: 143.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Lisson Gallery, June 2005
    Inscription
    verso tl on foldback: Julian Opie
    Provenance
    Lisson Gallery, London
    GAC number
    18015