Image via Complex Original
As the world awaits the opening of “Jeff Koons: A Retrospective” at the Whitney Museum on June 27, we decided to dig deeper into the life of the world's fourth richest living artist. Known for his controversial artwork and his overflowing bank account, Jeff Koons is one of most influential and widely recognized artists of this century.
Since he first burst on the scene in the 1980s, Koons has achieved monumental commercial success and fame, with a roster of artwork that sells for millions of dollars. In November 2013, his sculpture Balloon Dog (Orange) sold for $58,405,000, a price that set a new World Auction Record.
Critics of his artwork, which ranges from stainless steel sculptures of shiny balloon animals to sexually explicit paintings of him and his ex-wife, argue that Koons' work is no better than kitsch.
At the same time, he’s successful for a reason, and his rise in the art world should be an inspiration. These are 20 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Jeff Koons.
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Life is better in color.
Koons is an artist who sculpts and designs with the intent to be loud and draw attention to himself and his work. The famed, controversial artist is often recognized for his flashy, vibrantly colored sculptures. From metallic balloons to blow-up toys, Koons never shies away from explosive hues.
Let out your inner child.
Many of Koons' subjects are cartoons, such as Popeye, the Pink Panther, and the Incredible Hulk, and he never fails to show off his childish spirit. He's also a self-proclaimed lover of Disney films, and the 1942 original, Bambi, is one of his favorites.
Do it for the kids.
Koons is known for being quite the philanthropist and educator. He often visits local schools, such as East Harlem Elementary School and P.S. 112 Jose Celson Barbosa in New York, to teach children about art.
Remember to give back.
Jeff Koons is very focused on charity and giving back to the community. He co-founded The Koons Family Institute on International Law & Policy to aid in the protection of the world's children from abduction and sexual exploitation. Last year, BMW gave Koons two cars to repay him for designing their Art Car for Art Basel Miami Beach, but he ultimately donated them to the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children. More recently, he has become involved with the Hereditary Disease Foundation.
Recognize your influences.
Jeff Koons has repeatedly referred to Salvador Dalí's and Pablo Picasso's influences on his own work in interviews and at events. He actually met Dalí once in New York, and recently, he began building his own personal art collection, acquiring one of Picasso's most famous pieces, The Kiss.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Jeff Koons has collaborated with a select few celebrities and music artists, and the results of those collaborations have had a profound impact on both the art world and music world. In 2010, BMW commissioned him to design an M3 GT2 Art Car. He also designed the cover art for Lady Gaga's third studio album, ARTPOP.
Music is one of the best sources of inspiration.
Koons notes in many interviews that music has had a profound effect on his work. "It enhances our senses, everything in it is about feelings," said Koons to interviewer Naomi Campbell. Koons is known to be a die-hard fan of Led Zeppelin in addition to The Beatles and David Bowie.
Get started early.
At eight years old, Koons painted copies of Old Master paintings and sold them at his father's furniture store. Koons proves that there's nothing stopping you from developing your talents before you hit puberty.
Use your passions to help you develop a sense of self.
"When I was young, [art] was really a vehicle that gave me a sense of self," said Koons in an interview with Art:21. The artist recalls that his sister, who is three years older than him, bested him at anything and everything during his childhood. Drawing and art proved to be something that gave him confidence and a sense of purpose.
Follow your interests.
Koons began drawing as a child, and with the support of his parents, he pursued his interest in art throughout his youth, later attending the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. "The only thing you can do in life is follow your interests," said Koons in an interview with Naomi Campbell.
Have a diverse skill set.
When Koons graduated college in 1976, he was offered a position working as a commodities broker on Wall Street. He took it and continued to make his art on the side, saving increasing amounts of money. It seems that he benefited from the environment because the artist is often recognized for his strategic attitude and business-savvy.
Be strategic.
Jeff Koons' art is known for having a seductive quality. It makes you want to look at it and, more importantly, buy it. This is no accident but something Koons has cultivated through the years with the help of his business background. Take a tip from the artist, and learn that being strategic in your creations or ideas can take you all the way to the top.
There's always room for improvement.
Once an artist's work goes up on a wall, it's assumed to be complete. Well, not for Jeff Koons. The artist actually "tweaks" his work even while it's on display, which is virtually unheard of in the art world, proving that even those on top can rise higher.
Embrace new things.
Jeff Koons is active on two main social media platforms, Twitter and Instagram, both of which he only signed up for in 2013. Although he is late in the game, Koons realizes the importance of embracing new technology.
Be comfortable with the taboo.
Koons has often showed the world that he's not afraid to go where other artists don't dare venture. The artist's 1991 marriage to the former porn star La Cicciolina led to the release of his sexually-explicit art series, Made in Heaven, which depicts the couple's sexual relationship in a variety of forms. Obviously, the series was controversial, but at the same time, it had its many fans and marked a defining moment in Koons' career.
Don't be too quick to judge.
For an artist who's constantly dealing with criticism, it's not surprising that Koons said in an interview with Telegraph writer Lucy Davies, “When people make judgments they close all the possibility around them.”
Ignore the haters.
Although his artwork sells for millions of dollars and he has plenty of celebrity fans, Koons also has many critics. Known by many as a controversial art star, Koons is consistently attacked for his art's gaudiness, tastelessness, and crudeness. Yet, despite all the naysayers and haters, Koons has risen to become a seminal figure in the art world.
Pay attention to the simple things.
With sculptures that range from puppies to a series of balloon animals, Koons often shows that the simplest things can inspire the most creative and sought after works of art. His sculpture, Balloon Dog (Orange), which is simply a stainless steel statue of a balloon animal, sold for $58,405,000 in 2013.
Family comes first.
Koons and his wife, Justine Wheeler, have six children together. Despite his commercial success, the artist still sits down and has breakfast with them every morning.
Celebrate in style.
Koons was thrilled on his 59th birthday when his wife decorated his cake as an homage to the artist's favorite painting, Pablo Picasso's The Kiss, a painting that Koons has hanging in his bedroom.