Chris Ofili - Contemporary Art Part I New York Thursday, May 13, 2010 | Phillips

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  • Provenance


    Contemporary Fine Arts, Berlin

  • Exhibited


    Berlin, Contemporary Fine Arts, Chris Ofili: The Blue Rider, November 19 – December 23, 2005; Moscow, Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Hunky Dory, March 2 – April 20, 2007

  • Literature


    L. Harding, “Ofili ponders the nature of relationships,” The Guardian, London, November 19, 2005; V. Pukemova, Hunky Dory, Moscow, 2007, p. 49 (illustrated)

  • Catalogue Essay

    Chris Ofili is known for his crude depictions of human and mythical creatures addressing the sacred and the profane, usually with the inclusion of bodily fluids as subject matter or medium. This monumental bronze sculpture is part of a twin set, one female and one male, Silver Moon and Blue Moon.
    The female from the front view resembles a tribal figure with simple clothing and bold hair, sitting quietly, seemingly patient and dignified with eyes closed. However, from behind, she is revealed to be engaging in a lewd act of public indecency –perversely defecating blueish color excrement (the same blue as her counterpart who in turn, defecates silver feces). She is ‘moonlighting’ explicitly in front of viewers, her buttocks bare and brightly shined, adding emphasis to the serpent-like stool standing erect leaning back toward her posterior, as if trying to re-enter.
    It’s not just about turds. It’s what they symbolise that I’m interested in here. The sculptures are a dialogue. It’s about relationships. It’s about how people can be very intense and very comfortable with each other at the same time Chris Ofili in L. Harding, “Ofili ponders the nature of relationships,” The Guardian, London, November 19, 2005  

142

Silver Moon

2005

Nickel silver.

79 1/8 x 53 7/8 x 69 in. (201 x 137 x 175 cm).
This work is from an edition of three plus one artist’s proof and is stamped "Chris Ofili" on the base.

Estimate
$450,000 - 600,000 

Contemporary Art Part I

13 May 2010
New York