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Julian Opie

The work of Julian Opie is known throughout the world. With public commissions from New York to Seoul, London to Calgary, and an uninterrupted flow of international museum exhibitions, Opie’s distinctive formal language is instantly recognisable and reflects his artistic preoccupation with the idea of representation and the means by which images are perceived and understood. “Everything you see is a trick of the light,” Opie writes. “Light bouncing into your eye, light casting shadows, creating depth, shapes, colours. Turn off the light and it’s all gone. We use vision as a means of survival and it’s essential to take it for granted in order to function, but awareness allows us to look at looking and by extension look at ourselves and be aware of our presence. Drawing, drawing out the way that process feels and works brings the awareness into the present and into the real world, the exterior world.” Always exploring different techniques both cutting edge and ancient, Opie plays with ways of seeing through reinterpreting the vocabulary of everyday life; his reductive style evokes both a visual and spatial experience of the world around us. Drawing influence from classical portraiture, Egyptian hieroglyphs and Japanese woodblock prints, as well as public signage, information boards and traffic signs, the artist connects the clean visual language of modern life, with the fundamentals of art history.

Julian Opie was born in London in 1958 and lives and works in London. He graduated from Goldsmith’s School of Art, London in 1982. Exhibitions have been staged at Mango Museum, Changsha, China (2023); He Art Museum, Shenzen, China (2022); Pitzhanger Manor & Manor, London, UK (2021); Berardo Museum, Lisbon, Portugal (2020); Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan (2019); Gerhardsen Gerner, Oslo, Norway (2019); The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (2018); National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2017); Suwon Ipark Museum of Art, Korea (2017); Fosun Foundation, Shanghai, China (2017); Fundacion Bancaja, Valencia, Spain (2017); Kunsthalle Helsinki, Finland (2015); Museum of Contemporary Art Krakow (MoCAK), Poland (2014); National Portrait Gallery, London, UK (2011); IVAM, Valencia, Spain (2010); MAK, Vienna, Austria (2008); CAC Malaga, Spain (2006); Neues Museum, Nuremberg, Germany (2003); Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, UK (2001); Kunstverein Hannover, Germany (1994) and Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK (1985). Major group exhibitions include ‘LIGHT: Works from the Tate Collection’, The National Art Centre, Tokyo, Japan (2023); ‘We Change The World’, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (2021), ‘I Want! I Want! Art & Technology’ at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham, UK (2017); ‘This Is Not The Reality. What Kind Of Reality?’, 57th Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy (2017); the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK (2016); Barbican Art Gallery, London, UK (2014); Tate Britain, London, UK (2013); the Shanghai Biennale (2006); 11th Biennial of Sydney (1998); documenta 8, Kassel, Germany (1987); and XIIème Biennale de Paris (1985). Public projects include ‘Walking in Taipei’, Taipei, Taiwan and ‘Walking in Hong Kong’, Tower 535, Hong Kong (2016); Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg (2016); Heathrow Terminal 1 (1998); and the prison Wormwood Scrubs, London (1994); as well as public work for hospitals, such as the Lindo Wing, St. Mary’s Hospital, London (2012) and Barts & the London Hospital (2003). His design for the band Blur’s album ‘Best of Blur’ (2000) was awarded the Music Week CADS for Best Illustration in 2001.

Recent, current and forthcoming projects

La Llotja, Palma de Mallorca, Spain (26 April - 31 August, 2024)

‘Food in Art’ (group), MOCAK, Krakow, Poland (11 April - 22 September, 2024)

‘Phenomena. Perspective for an approach to the MUSAC Collection’ (group), MUSAC, León, Spain (22 March - 15 September, 2024)

‘The Future to Be’ (group), UCCA Lab, TianJin, China (17 January, 2024 - 31 January, 2025)

'Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS', Galleri F15, Moss, Norway (21 October, 2023 – 6 March, 2024)

Stephanie and Joshua.

Julian Opie
Stephanie and Joshua.

2024
Auto paint on aluminium
195 x 147 x 4 cm
76 3/4 x 57 7/8 x 1 5/8 in

Alyssa.

Julian Opie
Alyssa.

2023
Overlaid acrylic panel
99.8 x 76.8 x 4 cm
39 1/4 x 30 1/4 x 1 5/8 in

The Future To Be

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

Group exhibition, UCCA Lab, TianJin, China, 2024 
Installation view

The Future To Be

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

Group exhibition, UCCA Lab, TianJin, China, 2024 
Installation view

The Future To Be

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

Group exhibition, UCCA Lab, TianJin, China, 2024 
Installation view

The Future To Be

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

Group exhibition, UCCA Lab, TianJin, China, 2024 
Installation view

Bastide. 2

Julian Opie
Bastide. 2

2023
Auto paint on aluminium and steel
510 x 595 x 466 cm
200 3/4 x 234 1/4 x 183 1/2 in

Blue bun.

Julian Opie
Blue bun.

2023
Auto paint on wood
216 x 108.3 x 4.5 cm
85 x 42 5/8 x 1 3/4 in

Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Julian Opie
Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023 
Installation view
 

Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Julian Opie
Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023 
Installation view

Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Julian Opie
Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023 
Installation view

Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Julian Opie
Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023 
Installation view

Dance 5 figure 1.

Julian Opie
Dance 5 figure 1.

2022
Continuous computer animation on LED screen with sound
200 x 100 x 8 cm
78 3/4 x 39 3/8 x 3 1/8 in

Dance 4.

Julian Opie
Dance 4.

2022
Continuous computer animation on 4 sided LED screen with sound
210.8 x 50.7 x 50.7 cm
83 x 20 x 20 in

Figure 2, position 1.

Julian Opie
Figure 2, position 1.

2022
Polished stainless steel
87 x 157 x 98 cm
34 1/4 x 61 3/4 x 38 5/8 in

Dance 4 step 1.

Julian Opie
Dance 4 step 1.

2022
Vinyl on aluminium stretcher
230 x 381 x 3.5 cm
90 1/2 x 150 x 1 3/8 in

Winter night 1.

Julian Opie
Winter night 1.

2021
Aluminium, nylon and lights
151.2 x 151.5 x 9 cm
59 1/2 x 59 5/8 x 3 1/2 in

Summer 1.

Julian Opie
Summer 1.

2021
Powder coated aluminium
195 x 205.5 x 25 cm
76 3/4 x 80 7/8 x 9 7/8 in

Summer 2.

Julian Opie
Summer 2.

2021
Powder coated aluminium
193.3 x 209 x 25 cm
76 1/8 x 82 1/4 x 9 7/8 in

Winter head 1.

Julian Opie
Winter head 1.

2021
Auto paint on aluminium
80 x 80 x 4.1 cm
31 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 1 5/8 in

Winter head 2.

Julian Opie
Winter head 2.

2021
Auto paint on aluminium
80 x 80 x 4.1 cm
31 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 1 5/8 in

Old Street December 11.

Julian Opie
Old Street December 11.

2021
Paint on metal
229.8 x 229.8 x 5 cm
90 1/2 x 90 1/2 x 2 in

Old Street December 12.

Julian Opie
Old Street December 12.

2021
Paint on metal
230 x 230 x 5 cm
90 1/2 x 90 1/2 x 2 in

Ducks.

Julian Opie
Ducks.

2021
Continuous computer animation on 3 double sided LED panels
60 x 80 x 20 cm (each screen)
23 5/8 x 31 1/2 x 7 7/8 in (each screen)

Seagulls 3.

Julian Opie
Seagulls 3.

2021
Continuous computer animation on 6 double sided LED panels
30 x 40 x 20 cm (15cm high stand)
11 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 7 7/8 in (15cm high stand)

Apartments 1.

Julian Opie
Apartments 1.

2021
Powder coated aluminium
230.3 x 476.5 x 25 cm
90 5/8 x 187 5/8 x 9 7/8 in

Folder.

Julian Opie
Folder.

2020
Auto paint on aluminium
182.6 x 83 x 3 cm
71 7/8 x 32 5/8 x 1 1/8 in

Cow 2.

Julian Opie
Cow 2.

2020
Aluminium, nylon and lights
191.4 x 289.6 x 9 cm
75 3/8 x 114 x 3 1/2 in

Coloured runners 3.

Julian Opie
Coloured runners 3.

2020
Continuous computer animation on 55" LCD screen
121.5 x 68.6 cm
47 7/8 x 27 in

Old Street in May 2.

Julian Opie
Old Street in May 2.

2020
Vinyl on aluminium stretcher
229 x 420.5 x 3.8 cm
90 1/8 x 165 1/2 x 1 1/2 in

Headphones.

Julian Opie
Headphones.

2020
Auto paint on aluminium
183 x 80.5 x 3.2 cm
72 x 31 3/4 x 1 1/4 in

Old Street May 8.

Julian Opie
Old Street May 8.

2020
Auto paint on aluminium
209.3 x 141.2 x 5 cm
82 3/8 x 55 5/8 x 2 in

Old Street May 2.

Julian Opie
Old Street May 2.

2020
Aluminium, nylon and lights
185 x 204 x 9 cm
72 7/8 x 80 3/8 x 3 1/2 in

Old Street August 12.

Julian Opie
Old Street August 12.

2020
Aluminium, nylon and lights
225 x 302 x 9.5 cm
88 5/8 x 118 7/8 x 3 3/4 in

Blue shirt.

Julian Opie
Blue shirt.

2019
Auto paint on aluminium
200 x 177 cm
78 5/8 x 69 5/8 in

Dark glasses.

Julian Opie
Dark glasses.

2019
Acrylic paint on stone
70 x 62 x 3 cm
27 1/2 x 24 3/8 x 1 1/8 in

Woollen cap.

Julian Opie
Woollen cap.

2019
Acrylic paint on stone
70 x 62 x 3 cm
27 1/2 x 24 3/8 x 1 1/8 in

Teresa Jeremy Amelia Sam.

Julian Opie
Teresa Jeremy Amelia Sam.

2019
Aluminium, nylon and lights
290 x 300 x 12 cm
114 1/8 x 118 1/8 x 4 3/4 in

Beanie.

Julian Opie
Beanie.

2019
Auto paint on aluminium
200 x 117 cm
78 3/4 x 46 1/8 in

Mark 1.

Julian Opie
Mark 1.

2019
Auto paint on aluminium with corian base
135 x 64 x 2.5 cm
53 1/8 x 25 1/4 x 1 in

Walking in New York 1.

Julian Opie
Walking in New York 1.

2019
Auto paint on aluminium
240 x 273 x 4.5 cm
94 1/2 x 107 1/2 x 1 3/4 in

Diamond earring.

Julian Opie
Diamond earring.

2019
Auto paint on aluminium
199.7 x 176.9 x 4.5 cm
78 5/8 x 69 5/8 x 1 3/4 in

Sam Amelia Jeremy Teresa.

Julian Opie
Sam Amelia Jeremy Teresa.

2019
Aluminium, nylon and lights
290 x 300 x 12.5 cm
114 1/8 x 118 1/8 x 4 7/8 in

Walking in Melbourne. 8.

Julian Opie
Walking in Melbourne. 8.

2018
Vinyl on wooden stretcher
250 x 284.2 x 3.5 cm
98 3/8 x 111 7/8 x 1 3/8 in

Grazing sheep. 2.

Julian Opie
Grazing sheep. 2.

2017
Continuous computer animation on 46” LCD screen
58.5 x 102.7 x 11.5 cm
23 x 40 3/8 x 4 1/2 in

People. 23. Coloured

Julian Opie
People. 23. Coloured

2017
Continuous computer animation on 22" LCD screen
40 x 40 x 11 cm
15 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 4 3/8 in

Beach head. 10.

Julian Opie
Beach head. 10.

2017
Paint on overlaid aluminium panel
190 x 156 cm
74 3/4 x 61 3/8 in

Corey walking.

Julian Opie
Corey walking.

2016
LED double sided monolith
210 x 90 x 24 cm
82 5/8 x 35 3/8 x 9 1/2 in

Estuary.

Julian Opie
Estuary.

2016
Continuous computer animation on 46” LCD screen
58.5 x 102.7 x 11.5 cm
23 x 40 3/8 x 4 1/2 in

Country Road.

Julian Opie
Country Road.

2016
Continuous computer animation on 46” LCD screen
58.5 x 102.7 x 11.5 cm
23 x 40 3/8 x 4 1/2 in

Andrezy.

Julian Opie
Andrezy.

2016
Auto paint on aluminium
180 x 144 cm
70 7/8 x 56 3/4 in

Taxi Driver.

Julian Opie
Taxi Driver.

2015
LED wall mounted
210 x 120 x 8 cm
82 5/8 x 47 1/4 x 3 1/8 in

Woman with paisley dress

Julian Opie
Woman with paisley dress

2015
Inkjet on paper on aluminium
106 x 88.7 x 3 cm
41 3/4 x 34 7/8 x 1 1/8 in

_014_5685288.jpg.ai.

Julian Opie
_014_5685288.jpg.ai.

2014
Inlaid and overlaid acrylic panel
100 x 75 x 3.5 cm approx.
39.4 x 29.5 x 1.4 in approx

Walking in Shoreditch. 1.

Julian Opie
Walking in Shoreditch. 1.

2014
Vinyl on wooden stretcher
220 x 210.3 x 3.5 cm
86 5/8 x 82 3/4 x 1 3/8 in

Rod and Jen walking.

Julian Opie
Rod and Jen walking.

2013
Continuous computer animation on 55" LCD screen
128 x 75 x 7.3 cm
50 3/8 x 29 1/2 x 2 7/8 in

Exhibitions

  1. Selected Works in Seoul - past exhibition

    Selected Works in Seoul

    2 September – 10 September 2023

  2. Julian Opie: OP.VR@LISSON/London - past exhibition

    Julian Opie: OP.VR@LISSON/London

    3 March – 15 April 2023

  3. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    19 November 2022 – 1 April 2023

  4. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    4 May – 12 June 2021

  5. Selected works in London - past exhibition

    Selected works in London

    8 December 2020 – 12 January 2021

  6. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    7 November 2020 – 11 February 2021

  7. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    1 March – 20 April 2019

  8. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    11 July – 25 August 2012

  9. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    18 November 2011 – 20 January 2012

  10. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    15 October – 15 November 2008

  11. Julian Opie: Sara, Bryan and Monique - past exhibition

    Julian Opie: Sara, Bryan and Monique

    4 March – 14 April 2004

  12. Julian Opie: Sculpture Films Paintings - past exhibition

    Julian Opie: Sculpture Films Paintings

    9 February – 17 March 2001

  13. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    10 June – 13 July 1996

  14. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    24 November 1990 – 5 January 1991

  15. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    22 February – 26 March 1988

  16. Julian Opie: Recent Sculpture - past exhibition

    Julian Opie: Recent Sculpture

    11 November – 20 December 1986

  17. Julian Opie: Recent Work - past exhibition

    Julian Opie: Recent Work

    24 April – 25 May 1985

  18. Julian Opie - past exhibition

    Julian Opie

    16 September – 15 October 1983

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