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Lot Essay
“[My work] finds a way to represent the human consciousness through portrait. That portrait could represent what’s not only the exterior appearance of that person but what’s going through their mind.” - George Condo
An emblematic piece of George Condo’s Psychological Cubism, Rodrigo and His Muse depicts Condo’s beloved figure, Rodrigo, in this rare monochromatic portrait. As a personification of man’s dark mental states, the mischievous character is a significant motif in the artist’s oeuvre. Here, Rodrigo no longer exists solely in Condo’s narrative as it also becomes a visual embodiment of the highest-decorated hip hop musician – Kanye West. Selected as the cover for his single Cold in the critically acclaimed album Cruel Summer, the artwork is possibly (in West’s eyes) a reflection of him with his artistic muse. Moreover, Condo’s portrayal of intricate, contorted psychological complexity perhaps resonates deeply with West.
From album covers to fashion collection, the entertainment mogul constantly engages in conversation with the world of visual arts, collaborating with some of the most iconic artists of our time. Rodrigo and His Muse represents a partnership between two trailblazing American artists who has earned their place in the contemporary cultural pantheon and celebrates the friendship of the two who are at the forefront in their respective creative disciplines.
An emblematic piece of George Condo’s Psychological Cubism, Rodrigo and His Muse depicts Condo’s beloved figure, Rodrigo, in this rare monochromatic portrait. As a personification of man’s dark mental states, the mischievous character is a significant motif in the artist’s oeuvre. Here, Rodrigo no longer exists solely in Condo’s narrative as it also becomes a visual embodiment of the highest-decorated hip hop musician – Kanye West. Selected as the cover for his single Cold in the critically acclaimed album Cruel Summer, the artwork is possibly (in West’s eyes) a reflection of him with his artistic muse. Moreover, Condo’s portrayal of intricate, contorted psychological complexity perhaps resonates deeply with West.
From album covers to fashion collection, the entertainment mogul constantly engages in conversation with the world of visual arts, collaborating with some of the most iconic artists of our time. Rodrigo and His Muse represents a partnership between two trailblazing American artists who has earned their place in the contemporary cultural pantheon and celebrates the friendship of the two who are at the forefront in their respective creative disciplines.