Chuck Close

Chuck Close
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Name	Chuck Close
Birth date	July 5, 1940
Birth place	Monroe, Washington
Death date	August 19, 2021
Death place	Oceanside, New York
Nationality	American
Field	Painting, Photography

Chuck Close was a renowned American artist known for his highly realistic and detailed portraits of Philip Glass, Lucian Freud, and Richard Serra. Close's work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has taught at the Yale University School of Art and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Close's artistic style has been influenced by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns.

● Early Life and Education

Close was born in Monroe, Washington, and grew up in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Evergreen State College and later received his B.A. from the University of Washington in 1962. Close then went on to earn his M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Art in 1964, where he studied alongside Brice Marden, Richard Serra, and Robert Mangold. During his time at Yale, Close was exposed to the works of Francis Bacon, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko, which had a significant impact on his artistic development.

● Artistic Career

Close's artistic career began in the 1960s, during which he became known for his large-scale portraits of Nancy Graves, Alex Katz, and Kiki Smith. He was also a key figure in the Photorealism movement, which included artists such as Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, and Audrey Flack. Close's work has been exhibited at numerous institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern. He has also participated in several international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the Documenta in Kassel, Germany.

● Style and Technique

Close's style is characterized by his use of grid systems and airbrush techniques to create highly detailed and realistic images. He has also experimented with photography and printmaking, often incorporating these mediums into his work. Close's portraits often feature Cindy Sherman, Eric Fischl, and David Salle, among others. His use of color and composition has been influenced by the works of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Egon Schiele. Close has also been compared to Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman, and Julian Schnabel for his innovative and experimental approach to art.

● Major Works

Some of Close's most notable works include his portraits of President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Al Gore. He has also created large-scale public installations, such as his mural at the New York City Subway's Times Square – 42nd Street station. Close's work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Walker Art Center. His portraits of Linda Nochlin, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns are also highly regarded. Close has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the Skowhegan Medal for Painting.

● Personal Life and Later Years

Close suffered a spinal cord injury in 1988, which left him quadriplegic. Despite this, he continued to create art, often using a mouthstick to hold his brush. Close was married to Sienna Shields and had two daughters, Georgia Close and Maggie Close. He was also a longtime resident of New York City and Long Beach, New York. Close's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale and the Architectural Digest's AD100 list. He has also been honored by the American Institute of Graphic Design and the School of Visual Arts. Close passed away on August 19, 2021, at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and influential artists of his generation, alongside Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, and Agnes Martin. Category:American artists