Christian Boltanski Overview

Christian Boltanski is a French photographer, sculptor, painter, and installation artist. Born in Paris in 1944 to a Jewish father of Ukrainian heritage, and a Corsican Christian mother, Boltanski was attracted to painting and drawing as a young child, and left... [more]

Christian Boltanski is a French photographer, sculptor, painter, and installation artist. Born in Paris in 1944 to a Jewish father of Ukrainian heritage, and a Corsican Christian mother, Boltanski was attracted to painting and drawing as a young child, and left school at the age of 12. In the late ‘60s, early ‘70s, he moved away from painting and started to explore his own past and the transitory nature of human existence through mixed-mediums and installations. Boltanski’s work often makes use of photographs from the obituaries, rusted biscuit tins, used-clothing, lighting and wiring, as well as all sorts of remnants and memorabilia. Reflecting upon themes of death, memory, and loss, his art often seeks to venerate the anonymous or those who have disappeared. He also has an interest in reclaiming lost property from public spaces, creating works, for example, in the basements of buildings and in railway stations. Although his works often present dark subject matter, Boltanski’s humor and mischievous nature come through in his writings and interviews. He currently lives and works in Malakoff and is married to the well-known artist Annette Messager. [show less]