Chris Ofili Biography

Chris Ofili (b. 1968, Manchester, England) is one of Britain's most distinctive contemporary painters, internationally known for richly layered artworks that explore themes of race, spirituality, sexuality, and cultural identity. A key figure of the Young British Artists (YBAs), Ofili rose to prominence in the 1990s with paintings that combined traditional techniques with unconventional materials, creating visually complex works that challenge conventional boundaries.

Ofili's early paintings are characterized by their use of elephant dung, glitter, resin, and collage elements, creating densely patterned surfaces that reference both African art and Western painting traditions. His artworks often incorporate references to hip-hop culture, religious iconography, and Afrofuturism, layering multiple cultural references into single compositions. This approach creates a tension between high and low culture, sacred and profane, inviting viewers to navigate complex visual and conceptual terrain.

In 1998, Ofili won the Turner Prize, cementing his position as one of the leading painters of his generation. His practice has since evolved to include more contemplative, landscape-based paintings created during his time in Trinidad, where he relocated in 2005. These later artworks maintain his commitment to rich color and layered surfaces while exploring themes of paradise, mythology, and the natural world.

In addition to his paintings, Chris Ofili has produced a significant body of limited edition prints and works on paper that extend his painterly investigations into printmaking. These signed editions remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, offering accessible entry points into his visually rich and conceptually layered practice.

Through his paintings, prints, and drawings, Chris Ofili continues to be recognized as one of the most important British painters of his generation, with artworks held in major museum collections globally.

Auction record: £3.8 million, Christie's, 2015

Notable exhibitions

Chris Ofili won the Turner Prize in 1998, establishing him as one of the leading contemporary painters of his generation. His artworks gained international attention when The Holy Virgin Mary (1996) was included in the controversial Sensation exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 1999, sparking widespread debate about contemporary art and representation.

Major solo exhibitions include Chris Ofili at Tate Britain (2010), a comprehensive retrospective that traveled to the New Museum, New York; Night and Day at the New Museum, New York (2014); and Weaving Magic at the National Gallery, London (2017), where his paintings were shown alongside works by Old Masters.

More recently, his artworks have been featured in significant exhibitions including the British Art Show and at leading institutions such as the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Serpentine Galleries, London, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. His limited edition prints and original paintings remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide.