Chris Ofili
Biography
Born on 10 October 1968 in Manchester, England, Chris Ofili is a British painter who currently resides and works in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He studied at the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. Ofili is renowned for his intricate, multi-layered paintings that incorporate unconventional materials such as elephant dung, resin, beads, oil paint, glitter, and cut-outs from pornographic magazines. His work often explores themes of race, identity, and spirituality, drawing inspiration from a diverse array of cultural sources, including blaxploitation films and gangsta rap. Notable works include "The Holy Virgin Mary" (1996) and "No Woman No Cry" (1998). In 1998, Ofili became the first Black artist to win the prestigious Turner Prize. His art has been exhibited internationally, including at Tate Britain and the New Museum in New York. Ofili's works are held in prominent public and private collections worldwide, and his market presence is significant, with pieces achieving substantial figures at major auction houses.
