Chris Ofili (born 1968) is a painter noted for artworks referencing aspects of his Nigerian heritage. He is one of the Young British Artists. He is a Turner Prize winner and his work has been a source of controversy.
Ofili was born in Manchester on the 10th October 1968. He completed a foundation in art at Tameside College in Ashton-under-Lyne and studied art in London, at the Chelsea School of Art from 1988 to 1991 and at the Royal College of Art from 1991 to 1993. Ofili was established through exhibitions by Charles Saatchi at his gallery in North London and the travelling exhibition Sensation (1997) becoming recognised as one of the few British artists of African/Caribbean descent to breakthrough as a member of the Young British Artists. Ofili has also had numerous solo shows since the early 1990s including the Serpentine Gallery. In 1998, Ofili won the Turner Prize, and in 2003 he was selected to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale of that year, where his work for the British Pavilion was done in collaboration with the architect David Adjaye.
Ofili's painting also references blaxploitation films and gangsta rap often to question racial and sexual stereotypes in a humorous way. His work is often built up in layers of paint, resin, glitter, dung and other materials to create a collage.
Ofili has also been the brains behind the Freeness Project. This involved the coming together of artists, producers and musicians of minority ethnic groups (Asian, African and Chinese) in an attempt to expose the music that may be unheard in other spaces. Freeness allowed the creativity of today's British ethnic minority artists to be heard. The result of months of tours to 10 major cities in the UK resulted in Freeness Volume 1 - a compilation of varied works that were exposed during the tour.
Books
Chris Ofili
Chris Ofili: Devil's Pie
The Upper Room
Chris Ofili: Afro Margin
Chris Ofili: The Blue Rider
Chris Olifi: Afro Muses 1995-2005
Cavepainting: Peter Doig, Chris Ofili, Laura Owens
Painters' paintings: Brice Marden and Chris Ofili in conversation.(Cover story): An article from: Artforum International
Fabulism: Carroll Dunham, Ellen Gallagher, Chris Ofili, Neo Rauch, Matthew Ritchie
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