Koons - Tulips

In 1994, Jeff Koons created and photographed still life installations showing objects such as flowers, hearts, balloons and toys, placed on a reflective mylar background.

So pleased with the quality of these photographs, Koons decided to transcribe their subjects into paintings and sculptures. Thus was born Celebration, one of the artist's most ambitious series, which includes Tulips, the painting depicted in this limited-edition silk scarf.

Tulips places a familiar object at the heart of a monumental composition, imbuing a small, ephemeral object—a bouquet of multi-colored tulip-shaped balloons—with unexpected strength and presence. Set against a background of silver metallic paper, the bouquet is thoughtful and assertive, giving the entire composition an almost abstract feel, although the painting is, in fact, a faithful reproduction of reality.

Tulips, 1995-1998, Oil on canvas 282.9 x 332.7

© Jeff Koons