ROBERT LONGO

Political art in the age of abundance

Robert Longo, born on 7 January 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, is considered one of the most important artists on the contemporary art scene. Even in his youth, he was deeply involved with the aesthetics of mass media such as films and comics and became politicised by the Vietnam War and the subsequent peace movement. After a short period of study at North Texas State University and a scholarship in Florence, Longo returned to the USA to study art at State University College in Buffalo. There, together with friends such as Cindy Sherman, he founded the exhibition space Hallwalls, which established itself as an important platform in the art scene of the 1970s.

Untitled (Riot Cops), 2016. Charcoal on paper, 101 x 140 inches (256.5 x 355.6 cm)

Pointing at everyday life with a pencil

Longo's artistic career took off in the 1980s when he made his big breakthrough with the Men in the Cities series. The large-format charcoal and graphite drawings, which depict men and women in dynamic poses and business attire in a hyper-realistic manner, became a highly acclaimed visual artistic document of the time. The detailed depictions, which elevate the people portrayed to the status of heroes of contemporary history, reflect the culture of the era, which was driven by success and money, and are characterised by their impressive attention to detail and emotional intensity.

 Untitled (Raft at Sea), 2016–2017.Charcoal on paper, 140 x 281 inches (355.6 x 713.5 cm) overall

Criticism and provocation as an artistic concept

In his works, Longo uses provocative and often exaggerated imagery to explore the tension between reality and media perception. Through his critical examination of consumer culture and the media landscape, he questions the way in which images are constructed and consumed. Longo's works, known for their visual power and confrontational impact, challenge the viewer and reflect on deep social issues.

Untitled (Nascar Crash, Daytona), 2021. Charcoal on paper, 70 x 120 inches (177.8 x 304.8 cm)

A lasting influence on the art world

Robert Longo's influence on contemporary art is lasting and far-reaching. His mastery of drawing technique and his innovative use of different media have made him a prominent figure on the art scene. Longo's ability to explore complex emotional and social issues in a visually striking way has secured him a lasting place in art history.

Hatje Cantz has been realising various book projects together with Robert Longo for some time now. These include Robert Longo - Charcoal, Robert Longo - Charcoal 2 and Robert Longo - Stand. A new book is currently in the works: Robert Longo - The Acceleration of History. We have also published an exclusive edition of Robert Longo.

 published on October 11th, 2024 – László Rupp