Chuck Close

Chuck Close is renowned for his innovative conceptual portraiture, where he transforms photographs of his subjects into visual data, meticulously organized within gridded compositions.

Biography of Chuck Close

Chuck Close was born in 1940 in Monroe, Washington, US. 

His artistic odyssey began as a means of grappling with a learning disability during his formative years. Art became his compass, guiding him through the complexities of adolescence and into adulthood. Fueled by a relentless passion, he honed his skills through private lessons and academic pursuits, ultimately finding his voice amidst the vibrant art scene at the University of Washington and Yale.

As a student, he began to emulate the styles of Arshile Gorky and Willem de Kooning. Identifying as a third-wave Abstract Expressionist, he explored this artistic vocabulary and eventually pivoted from biomorphism to figuration.

Following his studies at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Vienna (1964) on a Fulbright grant, Close came back to the United States in 1965. He then taught painting at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he held his inaugural solo exhibition in 1967.

Seeking to depart from the gestural style that defined his early student work, Close transitioned towards Pop-inspired figuration and eventually embraced the techniques of commercial art and illustration. Employing photographic imagery as his base, Close limited his color palette to black and white, leading to the creation of his monumental painting "Big Nude" (1967). His solo exhibition in 1967 showcased paintings of male nudes, sparking controversy and resulting in a significant court case that aimed to expand freedom of speech in the visual arts.

Throughout the 1970s, Close's work evolved, as he delved deeper into realism and experimented with new techniques. His adoption of the grid system revolutionized the way he approached composition, giving rise to mesmerizing mosaic-like portraits that defied conventional perception.

Tragedy struck in 1988 when Close was paralyzed by a rare spinal artery collapse. Yet, true to form, he refused to be confined by physical limitations, adapting his practice with a brush-holding device and exploring new avenues of expression, including silk and Jacquard tapestries.

The artist died in 2021.