Watercolor on paper, framed. Featuring a figure of a head. Signed and attr Chris Olfili (British, born 1968) on the lower right corner. 14.2 x 11 in. (36 x 28 cm). Chris Ofili is a British contemporary painter, working in a vibrant palette and a variety of applied textures to examine both the contemporary and historical black experience. In intricately detailed works, Ofili deploys inventive figuration rendered in paint and collaged materials such as glitter, magazines cut-outs, and resin. Born on October 10, 1968 in Manchester, England, he went on to study at the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. He received the prestigious Turner Prize for his work in 1998, cementing his status as one of the most influential members of the Young British Artists. Ofili is perhaps best known for the controversy created by his painting The Holy Virgin Mary (1996) which, when exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum as part of the seminal 1998 “Sensation†exhibition, sparked a series of protests. For its subject matter and its use of lacquered, glittered elephant dung as a material, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani dismissed the work as "sick," and the painting was later vandalized - though it was successfully restored. Nevertheless, Ofili’s work has continued to be exhibited worldwide, notably back in New York with a critically acclaimed mid-career retrospective at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in 2014, "Chris Ofili: Night and Day."

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.