Russell Young
Biography
Russell Young, born in 1959 in Yorkshire, England, is a British-American artist known for his large-scale silkscreen paintings that explore cultural icons and the nature of fame. After a challenging childhood that saw him placed in foster care and a nunnery, Young lied about his age to gain admittance to art college at fifteen. He studied at Chester Art College and Exeter College of Art before moving to London, where he began his career photographing early live performances of bands like Bauhaus and The Smiths.
In 1986, Young gained significant recognition for his photography with the iconic album cover for George Michael's "Faith." This success led him to New York, where he transitioned from photography to painting in the late 1990s. Young's work often features celebrity portraits rendered in bold, colorful silkscreens, a style that critiques the glamour and dark side of fame. His series "Pig Portraits," which includes mugshots of famous figures like Elvis Presley and Malcolm X, marked his entry into the art world.
Young's use of diamond dust in his paintings, particularly in the "Dirty Pretty Things" series, has become a hallmark of his style. His works have been exhibited internationally, with notable shows at the Modern Art Museum in Shanghai and the Goss-Michael Foundation in Dallas. Despite a life-threatening illness in 2010, Young continues to produce evocative and impactful art that examines trauma, celebrity, and the American Dream.
Young lives and works in New York and California, often creating art that merges personal experiences with broader cultural critiques. His work is held in major collections and continues to draw significant attention in the contemporary art market.