Join The Collection to save, track, and explore works like this.

Jeff Koons — Balloon Swan
Jeff Koons

Balloon Swan

2017

Jeff Koons' "Balloon Swan" (2017) presents a captivating study in contrasts, transforming the ephemeral joy of a twisted balloon animal into a work of enduring elegance. Rendered in metallic glazed porcelain, the sculpture gleams with a brilliant golden finish, its highly polished surface reflecting its surroundings and inviting viewers into its lustrous world. The familiar, playful form of a swan, meticulously crafted from what appears to be inflated balloons, achieves an unexpected gravitas through its substantial material. This piece embodies a meticulous attention to detail, from the smooth, rounded contours that suggest air-filled volumes to the delicate articulation of the swan's neck and head. The artwork's immediate visual appeal lies in its shimmering presence, a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship and the artist's distinctive aesthetic. This iteration of "Balloon Swan" is a quintessential example of Koons' practice, where he elevates objects from popular culture and childhood memories to the realm of fine art. Part of his acclaimed "Celebration" series, which explores themes of birth, childhood, and festivity, the work captures a sense of wonder and delight, making it instantly recognizable and highly sought after. Koons masterfully plays with perception, presenting a seemingly weightless and fragile object in a robust and permanent medium. The choice of metallic glazed porcelain imbues the piece with a luxurious quality, challenging traditional notions of value and beauty by juxtaposing the mundane with the exquisite. It invites contemplation on the nature of art, consumerism, and the universal experience of joy, rendered with an almost hyperreal precision that blurs the lines between reality and artifice, cementing its status as an iconic work within his celebrated oeuvre.

Medium
Metallic glazed porcelain
Location
Wright, Chicago, United States

🔨 Auction Lot

Wright: 20|21 Art: The Chicago Edition (July 2022)

July 14, 2022

Estimate: $5,000 to $7,000

Lot 109

Start the Discussion

Request access to join the discussion

About this work

Jeff Koons, Balloon Swan, 2017

Jeff Koons' "Balloon Swan" (2017) presents a captivating study in contrasts, transforming the ephemeral joy of a twisted balloon animal into a work of enduring elegance. Rendered in metallic glazed porcelain, the sculpture gleams with a brilliant golden finish, its highly polished surface reflecting its surroundings and inviting viewers into its lustrous world. The familiar, playful form of a swan, meticulously crafted from what appears to be inflated balloons, achieves an unexpected gravitas through its substantial material. This piece embodies a meticulous attention to detail, from the smooth, rounded contours that suggest air-filled volumes to the delicate articulation of the swan's neck and head. The artwork's immediate visual appeal lies in its shimmering presence, a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship and the artist's distinctive aesthetic. This iteration of "Balloon Swan" is a quintessential example of Koons' practice, where he elevates objects from popular culture and childhood memories to the realm of fine art. Part of his acclaimed "Celebration" series, which explores themes of birth, childhood, and festivity, the work captures a sense of wonder and delight, making it instantly recognizable and highly sought after. Koons masterfully plays with perception, presenting a seemingly weightless and fragile object in a robust and permanent medium. The choice of metallic glazed porcelain imbues the piece with a luxurious quality, challenging traditional notions of value and beauty by juxtaposing the mundane with the exquisite. It invites contemplation on the nature of art, consumerism, and the universal experience of joy, rendered with an almost hyperreal precision that blurs the lines between reality and artifice, cementing its status as an iconic work within his celebrated oeuvre.

Medium
Metallic glazed porcelain
Year
2017
Seen at
Wright, Chicago, United States

Related themes

Figurative Sculpture, Gold, Porcelain, Consumerism, Male Artist, Sculpture, Childhood Theme, Postmodern, Popular Culture, American Artist, Pop Art, Celebration Theme, Playful Art, Contemporary Art, High Craft, Reflective Surface, Animal Subject, Metallic Finish, Collectible Sculpture, Luxury Objects

More works by Jeff Koons

Collected by

Hamilton Selway Gallery, Lisa Rembrandt, Alex Capecelatro, Rocky Lindt, Ryan Jackson, Ryan, Gigi Rutkowski, Derek Jones