Chris Ofili - Poolside

Chris Ofili’s Poolside (2013) is a finely executed etching on wove paper measuring 45.1 x 35.6 cm. Part of the artist’s celebrated Poolside Magic series, the artwork depicts a surreal encounter in which a man in coat-tails serves a reclining nude woman beside a swimming pool. Rendered with Ofili’s characteristic blend of elegance, wit, and erotic charge, the scene explores themes of sexuality, ritual, magic, and the occult.

Issued in a limited edition of 55, each print is hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Poolside is a rare and collectible work that captures Ofili’s unique ability to merge fantasy with sharp social and psychological undercurrents.

Chris Ofili (b. 1968, Manchester) is a Nigerian British artist who emerged as a pivotal figure among the Young British Artists (YBAs) and won the Turner Prize in 1998. His practice merges high art and popular culture to explore themes of identity, mythology, and the cultural experiences of Black communities. Known for his vibrant use of color and layered compositions, Ofili's paintings often incorporate unconventional materials including elephant dung, glitter, magazine cut-outs, and resin, creating richly textured surfaces that challenge conventional notions of beauty and materiality.

His printmaking practice, including etchings and aquatints like this signed limited edition print, showcases his distinctive approach to portraiture and ornament, blending figurative clarity with symbolic depth. Ofili's prints often feature stylized figures, floral motifs, and decorative patterns that reference African textiles, Art Nouveau, and contemporary graphic design.

Over the past two decades, Chris Ofili has exhibited at major international institutions including the Venice Biennale (2003, 2015), Tate Britain (2010), the New Museum, New York (2014), and the Aspen Art Museum (2015). He currently lives and works in Trinidad and Tobago.