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Allan McCollum — 'When I first decided to be an artist, I was interested in exploring self-referential angles on how our culture defines a "painting." I quickly realized that a painting is ultimately defined by its context. And all contexts are within other contexts within other contexts, so I'm always drawn into an ever-expanding idea of contexts.' - Allan McCollum

'When I first decided to be an artist, I was interested in exploring self-referential angles on how our culture defines a "painting." I quickly realized that a painting is ultimately defined by its context. And all contexts are within other contexts within other contexts, so I'm always drawn into an ever-expanding idea of contexts.' - Allan McCollum

1982

Allan McCollum's untitled 1982 work consists of 64 parts made of enamel on plaster, exploring conceptual definitions of painting through context and self-reference. The serial nature of the work reflects the artist's theoretical inquiry into how culture defines artistic forms.

Medium: enamel on plaster, in 64 parts
Spotted At: Auction House · Phillips

🔨 Auction Lot

20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale

October 4, 2018

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More by Allan McCollum

laser print on acid-free paper, in artist's frame, in 144 parts

laser print on acid-free paper, in artist's frame, in 144 parts

2006

Visable Markers

Visable Markers

Four works: (i-ii-iii-iv)

Four works: (i-ii-iii-iv)

1991

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About this work

Allan McCollum, 'When I first decided to be an artist, I was interested in exploring self-referential angles on how our culture defines a "painting." I quickly realized that a painting is ultimately defined by its context. And all contexts are within other contexts within other contexts, so I'm always drawn into an ever-expanding idea of contexts.' - Allan McCollum, 1982

Allan McCollum's untitled 1982 work consists of 64 parts made of enamel on plaster, exploring conceptual definitions of painting through context and self-reference. The serial nature of the work reflects the artist's theoretical inquiry into how culture defines artistic forms.

Medium: enamel on plaster, in 64 parts
Year: 1982
Seen at: Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Meta-artistic, Multiple Parts, Cultural Commentary, Institutional Critique, Intellectual, Enamel On Plaster, Installation, American, Conceptual Art, Contemporary

More works by Allan McCollum