Marc Quinn

In Marc Quinn’s world, life competes with artificial plastic. Playing on the traditions of our visual education, Quinn underlines the delta between myth and reality. His work often draws together philosophy and existential thought. Quinn believes this is the conflict between the natural and the cultural life within our body, two leitmotivs of our day and age. These are explored through mortality, beauty, the crystallization of a moment in time and space, through the interplay of art and science. The artist is fascinated with questions regarding genetic mutation and hybridism. Quinn’s work ranges across a variety of media – from sculpture to painting, drawing and photography exploring various means of expression, from blood to gold.

Marc Quinn was born in London in 1964. He studied History of Art at Cambridge University (1982-86) while working as Barry Flanagan’s assistant. His first solo exhibition was held in 1988 at Jay Jopling/Otis Gallery in London. In 1992, Quinn was selected for the Sydney Biennale. Two years later the British Museum curates his first exhibition. Quinn is one of the founders of Young British Artists (YBA) along with Damien Hirst. Marc Quinn’s work is displayed in numerous museums and private collections around the world: Saatchi Collection, National Portrait Gallery, British Museum, London. His work was exhibited at: Sonsbeek’93, Arnhem (1993), “Give and Take”, Victoria and Albert Museum, London (2001), Statements 7, 50th Venice Biennale (2003), Gwangju Biennale (2004). Selected solo exhibitions include: Tate Gallery, London (1995), Kunstverein Hannover (1999), Fondazione Prada, Milan (2000), Tate Liverpool (2002), Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2004), Groninger Museum, Groningen (2006) and MACRO, Rome (2006). Marc Quinn lives and works in London.