Author Description

Composed of his characteristically simplified lines and shapes, Julian Opie's portraits are rendered through computer technology. Beginning with a photograph scanned into a computer, the artist uses software to edit the images and hone in on their graphic essentials. The fascinating results become icons that serve to identify the individuals with the least information possible. Whereas most of Opie's portraits feature unknowns, people drawn from his personal life, some commissioned works feature public figures like Kate Moss or Michael Schumacher. But, by identifying them in the titles only by their first names, Opie zaps these celebrities of their fame and mythic status, simplifying them down to the familiar, human shape of their faces. Portraits comes complete with a "create your own cover image" binding and a selection of miniature stickers of portraits that can be tipped onto the front cover. Published in conjunction with Codax Publisher.