George Condo is an influential American painter who, for over 50 years, has shattered ideas of ‘high’ and ‘low’ art. He’s known for his unique form of pastiche, which brings together references from pop culture and art history. Nothing is off-limits. All subjects and styles are in the mix. In the 1970s, Condo began to develop his approach while studying music and art in Massachusetts. He didn’t want to be part of any particular style or movement. Instead, he mixed together elements of Cubism, Surrealism and Pop Art with graphics and imagery from day-to-day life. In the 1980s, Condo moved to New York City and worked at Andy Warhol’s notorious Factory. He hated it – “but working there made me feel like I was in touch with the art gods somehow.” It was there that Condo decided he wanted to make art that was truly radical. And Artificial Realism was born.