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 (April 26, 2024 to August 31, 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)

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

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

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

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

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

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

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

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

Julian Opie
The Future To Be

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

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

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
Julian Opie: JO.VR/GF15@MOSS

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023
Installation view

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

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023
Installation view

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

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023
Installation view

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

Galleri F15, Moss, Norway, 2023
Installation view

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Julian Opie
Blue shirt.

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

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

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

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

Julian Opie
Beanie.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Julian Opie
Grazing sheep. 2.

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

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

Julian Opie
Beach head. 10.

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

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

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

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

Julian Opie
Andrezy.

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

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

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

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

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

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