Original artwork
An original refers to a unique piece of artwork or the first instance of a particular work, as opposed to reproductions or copies.
Originals are usually the most valuable form of an artwork and are highly sought after by collectors and museums. The term can also refer to the initial concept or prototype of a design, invention, or other creative work. Original works often serve as the basis for subsequent editions or reproductions, but they hold a unique place in the realm of art and design.
24 results found for "Original artwork"
What is silkscreen printing?
A printmaker takes a break from crafting world class editions at Make-Ready to guide us through the fundamentals, foibles and speculative future of screen printing and serigraphy.
What is an edition?
At Avant Arte, limited edition artworks are our bread and butter. As with many good things, they come wrapped in jargon. Read on for a quick fix summary of everything you need to know to start collecting.
Living with LUV
LY arrives in London to showcase new horizons in the world of LUV. Discover the pop-up, plus new opportunities to collect.
Curated by Julian Schnabel
Palazzo-dwelling painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel is back. This time, with a selection of original works by artists from his own collection.
Live Event: Painting with Alice Brasser
On March 6, we joined Alice Brasser in her studio for a 1-hour painting session. Rewatch the livestream from start to finish.
Snow Lotus No. 1
Five years later, Cai Guo-Qiang returns with explosive reflections on love and resilience.The inspiration for Cai’s gunpowder paintings on glass and mirror came from childhood recollections of traditional Chinese mirror paintings. Each one traps an explosion of pigment between two fragile planes – a balancing act of control and chaos.Capturing the layered and illusory quality of the original artwork presented a new challenge for printmakers at Make-Ready in London. Snow Lotus No. 1 was disassembled for the first time since its creation and documented in two parts. This formed the basis of a layered printing process – allowing the traces of gunpowder left by each explosion, and their effect when combined, to be replicated perfectly.
The Aquarium
Tinged with mischief and joy, Szabolcs Bozó unveils a fantastical sub-aquatic world.When painting an original artwork for Art Basel Miami, Bozó was inspired by Ocean Drive. The beach, vivid architecture and neon lights all inform his underwater scene. Characters swimming through the piece began as sketches rooted in the artist’s Hungarian heritage. Influences spanning animation, folklore and mythology emerge in their unusual characteristics.“Everyone digests art differently. Although I’m the one making the work, I don’t want to force my perspective on someone else and taint their enjoyment of it.”
The Aquarium (Hand-finished)
Tinged with mischief and joy, Szabolcs Bozó unveils a fantastical sub-aquatic world.When painting an original artwork for Art Basel Miami, Bozó was inspired by Ocean Drive. The beach, vivid architecture and neon lights all inform his underwater scene. Characters swimming through the piece began as sketches rooted in the artist’s Hungarian heritage. Influences spanning animation, folklore and mythology emerge in their unusual characteristics.Treating each hand-finished edition as an original work, Bozo gets lost in the textural brushstrokes he adds whilst working from his studio floor. Each footprint or pawprint from his dog is left on the surface as ‘imperfections’ that are integral to his practice.“Everyone digests art differently. Although I’m the one making the work, I don’t want to force my perspective on someone else and taint their enjoyment of it.”
Big Steps
In Big Steps, KPE Innocent contemplates the chasm between decision and action: faith. The foot of a strangely-proportioned figure is raised high behind them – frozen mid stride. A single line defines what lies behind, but not what lies ahead.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists from across the globe.
Daily Provision
In Daily Provision, a skewed humanoid figure reflects on the virtues of gratitude and modesty. KPE Innocent’s unique take on minimalism is rooted in the unpretentiousness of his faith and expressed in careful line work.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists across the world.
Ecstacy
In Ecstasy, Katie Hector’s subject throws her head backwards with a strength of feeling confirmed by the artwork's title. The layering of oil stick, wax and watercolour offers a glimpse into layered complexity of her portraiture, while a highly-saturated palette calls to mind thermal imaging.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists across the world.
Shotgun 2
Pablo Tomek transports his street art sensibilities to canvas in Shotgun 2. Inspired by the rhythms of Parisian streets, Tomek mimics their physical form – opening up a window in the centre of his painting.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists across the world.
LANGLEY
Nostalgic for 1980s futurism, Minhee Kim searches anime archives for more compelling examples of Asian women in art. LANGLEY is based on a resolute pilot from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists across the world.
TERESA
Nostalgic for 1980s futurism, Minhee Kim searches anime archives for more robust depictions of Asian women in art. TERESA is based on the warrior protagonist of Claymore.Studio Works is a series of original artworks by emerging artists across the world.
Yummy!
Reality and fiction collide in Lin Yen-Liang's dream worlds. Playful blends of drawing and painting spill onto the page in Yummy!The charming boy rendered in coloured pencil shyly presents the gummy-style bear with a flower. The miniature pastel-hued sketches and written word invites us into the surrounding world of the characters.Yummy! is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
You are my sweetheart candy
Reality and fiction collide in Lin Yen-Liang's dream worlds. Playful blends of drawing and painting spill onto the page in You are my sweetheart candy. The lively scene of hybrid animals leaping across the page brings the artist’s joyful imagination to the mixed media work. Sunshine yellow spraypaint is offset by the pastel turquoise of the creatures, accompanied by pencil sketches and written word.You are my sweetheart candy is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
We Are the World
b.wing tentatively reveals a trio of close-held emotions in miniature clay sculpture, We Are The World.Bundled circular characters peer out from within a conical structure. Mottled colouration from layers of stoneware brings an ageing appearance to the miniature sculpture, revealing earthy textural details.We Are the World is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Boys Don't Cry
b.wing channels personal stories through uncanny characters – in this case A-boy, the central figure of Boys Don’t Cry.A pair of stoic yet soulful eyes and large rabbit ears are a point of focus of the emotive acrylic painting. By drawing and painting, the artist reviews her past and channels her emotions into her work, like the pain of rejection or the joy of victory. Boys Don’t Cry is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Measure the distance (Right)
The expressionless figures in Measure the distance painted by Sun-Kyo Park explore duality across two paintings. Painting from the perspective of an introvert, Park shows a reactive relationship between two actors who reach into each other's space. In the right-hand painting, the man stares pointedly at the woman's open hand.‘We can all be kind and brave at the same time. We can all be cowardly and brave’. Measure the distance (Right) is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Measure the distance (Left)
The expressionless figures in Measure the distance painted by Sun-Kyo Park explore duality across two paintings. Painting from the perspective of an introvert, Park shows a reactive narrative between two actors who reach into each other's space. In the left-hand painting, the woman stares pointedly past the man’s directive hand.‘We can all be kind and brave at the same time. We can all be cowardly and brave’.Measure the distance (Left) is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Crypto Princess
In Bell Nakai's vivid painting Crypto Princess Cuteness and anger coexist.The rebellious female figures created by Nakai share universal stories and learnings. Despite exuberant colour, a sadness and anger at today’s society lies behind the subjects glasses.Crypto Princess is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Desk with Shells
Alfie Caine deftly curates a scene of domestic calm in Desk with Shells.Set in a composition dominated by line, a minimalist space is lit by the warm glow of lamp light and sunset, casting careful reflections across the desk. Here, the viewer is welcomed to set their own narrative. Desk with Shells is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Hilltop Porch
In Hilltop Porch, memories and imagination quietly coalesce in a moment of peace.The acrylic painting lends permanence to fleeting moments – landscapes surrounding Alfie Caine's East Sussex home mingle with abstract recollections from his past. Absent of figures, the viewer is encouraged to project their own narrative onto the tranquil hillside. Hilltop Porch is part of Studio Works, a series of original artworks by emerging global artists.
Slingshot Requiem (Relief)
Slingshot Requiem captures a moment of respite in the aftermath of adventure — his namesake weapon inverted to become a wishbone and his body, once poised to fight, now wrapped in bandages. The work was inspired by the multimode chaos of the last 18 months, and a widely felt need to take stock and reflect before pushing forwards once again.Carved, polished, and sandblasted from a piece of quarter inch thick steel then heat treated to create a lustrous blue, purple and silver patina, the edition of 54 arrives mounted in a bespoke, white-washed solid maple frame. Developed and produced by Lamina, a new print house established by Brad Keech and James Jean, extensive hand-working and a unique surface finish mean that each relief could easily be considered an original artwork.
Other words in the glossary
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Your questions, answered
We collaborate with artists to create both limited editions and works on paper.
A limited edition is a set number of similar or identical artworks. The size of the edition denotes the total number of artworks that will ever be made, underscoring their value.
Framing options vary for each piece and are listed on the individual artwork pages. Our standard glazing offer is a minimum 90% UV acrylic plexiglass, or you can upgrade to an anti reflective Optium museum plexiglass.
Yes, 100%. We work directly with our artists to create editions that accurately represent their body of work. Additionally, every artist personally reviews and approves their final editions.
Every artwork is signed or stamped, and individually numbered. You will also receive a stamped and numbered certificate of authenticity.
No—the copyright is not transferred to the purchaser of the edition.
All the ins and outs can be found on our orders and shipping page.
