Sissi Looking Upwards
Sissi Looking Upwards
Signed Print
Julian Opie
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91 x 61cm, Edition of 30, Lenticular
Medium: Lenticular
Edition size: 30
Year: 2015
Size: H 91cm x W 61cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
Last Auction: November 2016
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Meaning & Analysis
Sissi Looking Upwards is a signed mixed media print produced by Julian Opie, one of the leading figures of the New British Sculpture movement. Made in 2015 in an edition size of 30, this print on lenticular acrylic panel shows the portrait of a young girl. The girl is rendered using bright and bold colours against a purple backdrop. Her wide eyes are looking upwards, as opposed to straight ahead, as would be expected in a portrait, suggesting she is worried or concerned about something.
This print captures the essence of Opie’s distinct artistic style which is characterised by the use of thick lines filled with blocks of colour. In order to achieve this, Opie takes photos of people and then digitally reduces them to pure surface and line, to which the artist adds bright colours. This reduction is a means for Opie to question how images are perceived and understood by the viewer and showcases how Opie is able to convey the complexity of the human face and the expression of emotion with just a handful of lines.
As well as producing his own portraits, Opie has also been commissioned to produce portraits of notable figures. Opie’s portrait of the British inventor and designer, James Dyson hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Arguably Opie’s most notable portraits are those he did for the cover of Blur’s album, Blur: The Best Of, in 2000.
Julian Opie, born in 1958, dances through the contemporary art scene with a distinctive digital allure. A trailblazer of the 1980s New British Sculpture movement, Opie's work is a highly stylised blend of Pop Art and minimalism which navigates the intersection of technology and visual expression. From his early experiments with computer-generated art to his iconic portraits and animated installations, Opie's work exudes a captivating simplicity. His signature style, marked by bold lines and reduced forms, is internationally recognisable and has made him a key player in British contemporary art.