As the world awaits the opening of “Jeff Koons: A Retrospective” at the Whitney Museum on June 27, we decided to dig deeper into the life of the world's fourth richest living artist. Known for his controversial artwork and his overflowing bank account, Jeff Koons is one of most influential and widely recognized artists of this century.
Since he first burst on the scene in the 1980s, Koons has achieved monumental commercial success and fame, with a roster of artwork that sells for millions of dollars. In November 2013, his sculpture Balloon Dog (Orange) sold for $58,405,000, a price that set a new World Auction Record.
Critics of his artwork, which ranges from stainless steel sculptures of shiny balloon animals to sexually explicit paintings of him and his ex-wife, argue that Koons' work is no better than kitsch.
At the same time, he’s successful for a reason, and his rise in the art world should be an inspiration. These are 20 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Jeff Koons.
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