Artist: Jeff Koons
Title: Monkey Train (Blue)
Size: 32 7/8 × 26 1/8 in | 83.5 × 66.4 cm
Medium: Silkscreen with archival pigmented inkjet on Somerset
Edition: of 40
Year: 2007
Notes: Hand Signed and Numbered. Excellent Condition. Gallery COA Included. Custom Framed to Fit in White with a Spacer
About: In 2007, the renowned American Pop Artist Jeff Koons unveiled a series of 40 striking silkscreen prints titled "Monkey Train." Central to this collection is a captivating photograph featuring one of Koons’ iconic balloon-like sculptures, portraying a playful monkey. Despite its deceptive appearance of soft, pliable texture akin to a mylar balloon from a carnival, the underlying sculptural piece is crafted from rigid, metallic materials.
This subtle contrast underscores Koons’ adept manipulation of mediums. Delving deeper into the imagery, amidst the cartoonish monkey's grin, lie depictions of steam trains—an emblem of American frontier spirit and a precursor to the consumerist ethos of the 20th century. This symbolic nod harks back to Koons’ earlier work, notably his 1986 series "Luxury And Degradation" and the three-dimensional sculpture "Jim Beam – J.B. Turner Train."
Koons often champions metal, particularly steel, as a 'proletarian' material, bridging a connection to the working class. Koons imbues his artworks with a sense of emancipation, believing them to possess a transcendental energy capable of empowering viewers to reach for their aspirations. However, interpretations of his philosophy vary widely. Some critique it as a ploy, while others see it as a nuanced commentary on art's potential to catalyze tangible change in the world. Koons' oeuvre remains a subject of debate, embodying layers of meaning and inviting viewers to engage with its complexities.