Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Philip Taaffe Biography
Philip Taaffe, born in 1955 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an American artist renowned for his intricate and visually compelling works that blend motifs from multiple cultures, creating a unique visual language that transcends traditional boundaries of art. Taaffe's journey into the art world began with his education at the Cooper Union in New York, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1977. His passion for art and his distinctive approach to painting quickly set him apart in the art community, leading to his first solo exhibition in New York in 1982.
Taaffe's work is characterized by its layered complexity, incorporating elements from various art forms including collage, printmaking, and marbling. He has mastered a wide range of processes such as collage, linocut, woodblock, rubber stamp, silkscreen, and decalomania, using these techniques to capture and convey images, symbols, and signs from diverse sources. This collection, preservation, and transmission of information are central themes in his work, reflecting a deep engagement with the history and potential of visual communication.
Throughout his career, Taaffe has traveled extensively, drawing inspiration from the Middle East, India, South America, and Morocco. His experiences in these regions have deeply influenced his artistic practice, enriching his palette with a broad spectrum of cultural references and motifs. From 1988 to 1991, he lived and worked in Naples, further expanding his artistic horizons and contributing to the global perspective evident in his work.
Taaffe's contributions to the art world have been recognized through numerous museum exhibitions, including the Carnegie International, two Sydney Biennials, and three Whitney Biennials. His work is held in prestigious public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid. In 2000, the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern organized a retrospective of Taaffe's work, and in 2004, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in San Marino, Italy, presented "Carte annuvolate (Cloud Papers)," a survey of paintings and drawings based on the artist’s explorations with floating pigments and the paper marbling process. The Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg organized a major retrospective entitled "The Life of Forms in Art: Paintings 1980-2008" in 2008, which was accompanied by a publication by Hatje Cantz. In 2011, the Irish Museum of Modern Art presented "Anima Mundi," a survey of thirty paintings from the decade 2000-2010.
Taaffe's recent solo exhibitions have been held at Luhring Augustine in 2015 (Bushwick), 2019 (Chelsea), and 2022 (Tribeca). In 2018, Lund Humphries published a monograph on Taaffe that examines his entire career over the past four decades, highlighting his significant contributions to contemporary art. Philip Taaffe presently works and lives in West Cornwall, Connecticut, continuing to explore and expand the boundaries of painting.
Taaffe's work is not merely a visual feast but a deep, meditative process that invites viewers to explore the intersections of culture, history, and spirituality. His innovative use of traditional and non-traditional materials, combined with his profound understanding of art history and his commitment to a global perspective, makes him a pivotal figure in contemporary art. Through his paintings, Taaffe communicates a vision of a world where diverse cultural expressions and historical references coalesce, offering a rich tapestry of human experience and artistic exploration.
Philip Taaffe Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
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