George Condo: The Artist at Work

The mind of American artist George Condo has been referred to as a place where “Picasso meets Looney Tunes.” Watch him at work in his New York-studio where he draws and paints his take on a 19th century painting by Manet.
“It’s such a mad, crazy world these days, that everybody I draw is kind of a lunatic,” says Condo as he draws “the nude bus driver” with a drink and a woman, who serves as “a nice contrast to the lunatic.”
George Condo (b. 1957) is an American contemporary visual artist working in the mediums of painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking. Condo mixes input from art history’s masters - such as Velasquez, Manet and Picasso - with elements of American Pop Art. He distorts and renews this material so that it stands out and becomes his own: a kind of strange hybrid that blurs boundaries between the comic and the tragic, the grotesque and the beautiful, the classic and the innovative. As part of the wild art scene in New York in the early 1980s, Condo was close to painters such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, and worked for Andy Warhol’s Factory, applying diamond dust to silkscreen. Condo’s work is in the permanent collections of MoMA, the Whitney Museum, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Broad Foundation in Los Angeles, Tate Gallery in London, Centre George Pompidou in Paris and Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art in Oslo, among others. He is the recipient of an Academy Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (1999) and the Francis J. Greenberger Award (2005). Condo lives and works in New York City.
George Condo was interviewed by Kasper Bech Dyg at his studio in Soho, New York City in September 2017.
The drawing that Condo makes is ‘The Bus Driver’s Dream’ (2017). The painting that he refers to at the end of the video is ‘Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe’, originally titled ‘Le Bain’ (The Bath) (1962-1863) by French painter Édouard Manet.
Camera: Jakob Solbakken
Produced and edited by: Kasper Bech Dyg
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2017
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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[@JaeWoodberry]

Watching this made me realize within the first 5 mins that I'm overthinking when I create.

[@Bonesph]

Some people have a natural ability to do things like this. And the only thing stopping others is that they don't realize how easy it actually can be. Not to put down anybody. There's more to it then just scribbling and scruffing. This guy has natural talent but a lot more people can do this then they're actually is. They just don't know it.

[@Shamariah2011]

I love that he was miked up close. I love hearing his brushstrokes and breathing. And he New York traffic in the background.

[@orpheusness2422]

Accidentally asmr!

[@dp6970]

Unintentional ASMR for sure 😌🎧 I keep watching it over and over because of that very reason. Haha.

[@hafizamirayub2322]

12lyflhegbfgbfgmgbdwfnui8yhvcvvvvvdgw

[@JeffreyMaldonado-mi8ne]

DON'T BE SO SARCASTIC BRO! THAT IS A CRAP 💩 HE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE DOING, PLEASE!!!

[@melikeySatzu]

​​@@JeffreyMaldonado-mi8ne and I love it!! This is better artwork than the AI crap. This is truly one of a kind artwork that came out of thin air, or rather, from the mind of a person. The problem is that ordinary average people see artwork as perfectly executed paintings and drawings of the anatomy, human or animal, and dramatic landscapes and still life. Art is so much more than pretty pictures. Something you wouldn't know because it's something you prefer not to learn and understand in depth.😅

[@BlootusWealth]

For anyone asking, he is using an R&F Oil Pigment stick in intense black. Anyone know which paper he's working on? Seems his colour is soft pastels so I would guess large pastel paper?

[@katiawhitestar2857]

Hiya! I suspect it is canson paper.- You can buy it in something like 10m long rolls. They definitely have this sort of width. That paper in roll firm exists in two grades. It is never too thick or too thin, so it can rake l diferent media quite well -oil, acryluc, charcoal marker pens water, oil and chalk crayons, inks, etc. It has not got much texture but it is wonderful. In London I used to order it from Atlantis. They have a huge shop and an insane catalogue in book form, with all their stuff, a copy of which you can get, so you can shop from home. They have this paper. But it can be found in any decent art shop, depending on where you live, of course! Thank you fir your tip on his sticks- EXACTLY what I needed! 😉.

[@alistaircornacchio5727]

this gets me more inspired than anything

[@mortenbundsgaardolsen6947]

Very good woork and Nice picture. A fine story and panting.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

Luisiana is an enchanted place!

[@jhb61249]

R&F pigment sticks are great for drawing and painting. A little expensive for just fun playing or getting a feel for it, but if you knowing the material and what you want to achieve, it's a great a t product.

[@runubegum6819]

Absolute a piece of art work

[@a12_oxcart]

this is asmr to me

[@serialchillerselection]

Does anyone knows which tool he uses I like how smooth it is?

[@foekist7312]

Hasn't this been uploaded before!? I've seen this video somewhere else

[@foekist7312]

Ah, excellent! Great upload. Thank you very much.

[@basicsyphilis8]

foekist I was just thinking the same but the only difference is I just saw the other video “the way I think” just last week & I gave it a 👍 I saw it in my recommendation & I was like shore I’ll watch it again this guy is really cool & straight up. So I gave this 1 a 👍 also

[@zamo9266]

Pure genius. Does he sell prints? We are setting up our office in Sandton, Johannesburg and I love his work. So glad this video popped up on my timeline. New subbie I’m now inspired to add a visit to the gallery to my bucket list.

[@esonthomas3512]

I can replicate paintings like this if you’d be interested. I can send you some of my art exactly like this. I can copy any condo abstract sketch like this.

[@grantrobertdavies]

What is George using? Drawing with?... :)

[@markbrower497]

R&F Pigment Sticks and (I think) Richeson handmade pastels

[@louism9872]

Anyone what paper he used?? Paper weight and GSM?

[@JeffreyMaldonado-mi8ne]

THE REALITY IS THAT HE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE DOING, FOOLING EVERYBODY WITH THAT CRAP! IF THIS IS ART MY ART IS A MASTERPIECE NEXT TO THAT THING AND I KNOW WATH I DO WITH SENSE!

[@emmanuellecat167]

Wat a guy!! Someone know what pa8nting he use ?

[@ChidiebereIbe-i8d]

Please who know the medium he’s using???

[@genevalion7974]

Just dropped a full glass of water on the floor. Fuck.

[@jamesbunch8932]

Did he really intend this to be a version / reference to Déjeuner sur l'Herbe, or was he just being whimsical at the end?

[@limnificant]

He started drawing, and it began reminding him of Déjeuner sur l'Herbe, and he went with it. That picture's burned into every Western artist's soul.

[@LuganMan26]

Ya, I agree, I think he was just exploring with each push of the oil stick, then something familiar started to emerge.

[@Replicachile1]

What pencil is that?

[@enrikapaulikaite6430]

oil stick

[@miguelsuarez8010]

"Breakfast on the grass"

[@kallehansen6659]

Can someone explain to me what he is using to paint this? 🤔

[@tonis2u]

R&F Pigment sticks

[@ДодоБаланчива]

Black soft pastelle?

[@user-cp3ww2xu2p]

R&F sticks are very creamy and soft tools. so good for drawing easy. but, unfortunately, you may wait for a year to dry this oil stick on canvas

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Kick butt.

[@Nsquare_01]

Now sell this for thousands of dollars 😎

[@micheltamer7164]

What kind of sticks is he drawing with, please?

[@micheltamer7164]

Got it. Answer below

[@germisrich137]

Michel Tamer I have a small company which I produce these Oils sticks For insanely cheap compared to other sellers and also at very good quality contact me if you’d like to purchase some ! :) on instagram at @GermisRich

[@sunilshirodkar3325]

Which colour George condo using to do drawings

[@yarden116]

I wonder what paper did he uss

[@michaeldemeglio1910]

Yarden Fudim Canvas. He cut a large primed canvas (unstretched) and just drew. He’s using oil pastel. A large oil crayon.

[@kitlow2970]

@@michaeldemeglio1910 nah thats paper, can tell from it bending at the edges and by how thin it is. also he's using oil bars not pastels, they're much more expensive.

[@michaeldemeglio1910]

Kit Low I’m not sure if it’s paper, if it is, I wonder what kind to hold the oil? Oil seeps through paper. When I use un -stretched canvas, it too warps on the side like paper. I have to pin it down on the wall in order to keep it from flapping. I honestly think it’s canvas.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jedibjj5488]

Definitely paper used same in art college

[@katiawhitestar2857]

How do you pin it and to what- the wall? (staples, pins, nails?!How do you keep from destroying the wall? Do you use a board? If so, what kind of board? I have to work from home, you see…

[@monetagreat7981]

💔😭😭😭😭🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

Does anyone know what the tool is called he draws with. It looks like oil pastel, but it is something else. Is it perhaps a mixture of oil and charcoal? Thank you :)

[@limesandcigarettes2694]

Inge Justa van der Helm same question here

[@LordVikingLive]

Oil stick... or as Winton Calls it Oil bar...

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

Thanks a lot Eddie, great help! :) Enjoy your weekend :)

[@LordVikingLive]

Thank you, I wish you the same...

[@nicholaskaekul9132]

R&F oil stick

[@swordsdiagnostic]

uuuaaaaa

[@conservative_south_african]

Bruh, what happened to stunning artwork ? This is semi-organised scribbling

[@limesandcigarettes2694]

Did he sold it?

[@haithamal-rijab9734]

Yup!

[@lucretiaonutube]

RF Pigment sticks.. Brilliant video! Wish more artists would be so generous to allow us to watch them create from start to finish in real time.

[@janicepenavelilla6223]

Thank you, they looked like oil sticks but wasn’t sure. 👌🏼👍🏽🎨👩🏻‍🎨🖼

[@dp6970]

@@janicepenavelilla6223 I thought the same thing.

[@milkoyoubinguila]

When he start it seem very easy to do, but when it finish you understand that it not a joke to do that. It amazing.

[@rodrigogomes2064]

Its not about dificulty. As he says, anyone can be an artist...

[@JohnBurman-l2l]

this kind...yes.

[@tammyberk7896]

I really loved your comment "it's such a mad, crazy world these days that everybody I draw is kind of a lunatic". Fascinating watching you work.

[@OrtoInScatola]

If all museums of modern art produced videos of the level of quality of the Louisiana museum, the world would be a better place - thank you for all the time and effort you put into these videos. I will probably be never able to visit your museum, but I am forever grateful for your channel!

[@thelouisianachannel]

Francesco Gallarotti Our sincere pleasure. And we will continue producing videos with even more pleasure when receiving this kind of feedback 😊

[@patrickgregg8454]

@@thelouisianachannel Bravo

[@steven1822]

Francesco you put into words exactly what i was thinking after seeing this wonderful video. you said it much clearer than i would. a million thanks. a millions thanks was well to the Louisiana Channel.

[@OrtoInScatola]

Steven Macanka they really set the standard of how a museum should use social media to spread their reach in the whole world

[@PhilipBoelter]

I love the ending where he walks away and says "and that is a complete drawing." I can just picture the camera crew saying to each other, "where'd he go", "what now"... "is he coming back". - Seriously, I loved watching Condo create this. Inspiring work.

[@tonis2u]

R&F Pigments sticks will set you free

[@germisrich137]

If you’re tired of paying R&F prices but want to keep the quality Reach out to me @GermisRich on Instagram I own a a oil stick company and I selll them for insanely cheap!

[@StephanieGraham]

I'm glad you said that I'm not a painter but was wondering what those were. I want to check them out.

[@reddsmith752]

Out of interest, do you think he's using the 38ml or 100ml sticks here?

[@houston1293]

Redd Smith he is most likely using the 38. But I’ve seen him use the 100 before

[@livelovenow8862]

He said so many good things. The sound of his voice is art too.

[@amitdaultani5106]

I cannot express how grateful I am for these videos. This is my daily motivation! Thank you so so so so much Louisiana Museum for making these videos and the artists for letting us see your processes!!

[@thelouisianachannel]

Amit Daultani A pleasure

[@gregderozier3846]

Time will prove that this is just so much crap…

[@MrPhotodoc]

I'd like to checkout the dumpster behind his building sometime.

[@tari8134]

This is good ASMR

[@TomNotThomasZA]

We need more of this in the world to be honest

[@paneraiferrari829]

Ok I now have a greater respect for art and talent

[@Gabrielishere]

He is awesome. His process, his New York personality / matter of fact humor, and let's not forget his art. The authenticity is there.

[@mikebaldock2706]

Another $8,000.

[@danceonpaper5368]

It was nice to watch how free he works!

[@vidaenvictoria1.]

Así cualquiera pinta😂😂

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

That was awesome - love his drawing style.. I'm inspired to try that.

[@wandadubbs5166]

Mm n

[@HarisKhan-hd3ep]

Loved each and every second of this video. Have already watched it like 5 times! Thankyou so much for this wonderful documentation of a living legend ❤️

[@thelouisianachannel]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@김도현-l2l]

What is the paper he draw on??

[@MrKissmass]

Love this work.

[@wa-et1nj]

학원에 버려지는 수많은 문제집이나 베껴쓰는것이..지금 하고 있는 그림그리기보다 더 몸에도 안좋고 힘들고 자극적이고..그러나 해보시면 그림그리는것보다는 더..아..뭐라해야되나..심심하시면 그리지말고 문제집 정답이나 외우고 놀기..대신 엄청난 체력이 필요해서 쉬지않고 먹거나..병들거나..오히려 살아있는 사람이 더 심하게 반갑지만 문제는 몸이 힘들어서 다가가기도 혼자있기도 힘든 이러지도 저러지도 못하는..그러나 분명한건 안좋은 수준 낮은 자극을 즐길수있는 정신적 신체적 여유가. 체력이 고갈되서 이미지가 사악해보임. ㅜㅜ요약..그림. 지겹죠? 문제집 외우세요. 또는 사전..난 좀..살랑살랑..퐁당퐁당..그런 거..웃기운동..그런거..큰 욕조를 제작..여인과 퐁당퐁당..스파를 추천드려요.

[@borock69]

Long time ago before the word “artist” exist, they are very skilled craftsmen, but now days, someone without any skills call themselves “artist”. 😂

[@corysturgis6660]

Does anyone know what kind of paper that is or how it stays on the wall?

[@Just_SK8]

If a 10yo drew this I would think it was silly but fun. This guy has spent his whole life drawing, and this is all he's got? 🙄

[@ametrineberry4033]

go cry about it

[@-rocco.r-5334]

Love that quick sure hand

[@caniarts6059]

Beautiful works...❤️ .I, Subscribed.❤️👍 Thanku.....❤️👍

[@pensare24]

.. È solo una "Illustrazione da fumetto" di basso livello..Chiunque ne potrebbe fare a centinaia con un minimo di fantasia e memoria .../Comunque buon divertimento a Tutti🎉 e ..buon nuovo e migliore Anno !😊/Ciao S.

[@KpxUrz5745]

Hahahaha. I'm sorry, I must laugh. This artist is apparently very big on self-promotion, with none of the real talent needed to warrant our attention. I can see the weakness in every stroke!

[@AbrahamLincoln544]

Very inspirational thank you

[@MikeNino-hh3ve]

Are you tryna be like Michael Jean basqut the black guy that died.

[@byDuvan]

The fact that he just makes this in 15 minutes is crazy

[@mjrleaguesweetie]

Happy 10th anniversary to “MBDTF”

[@jonahpower2412]

That’s what brought me here lmao

[@danig.barreto2030]

Dudes creative juices are off the charts

[@Tarin_Shapcha]

Дух абсолютной свободы присутствует только в искусстве, только в творческом порыве.

[@yvesfremin4388]

Le regarder est un spectacle. Yves Frémin, peintre à Plouézec (Côtes d'Armor) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mabHaWR8q7KXZrs

[@oldmanandthesea7039]

What was the medium he used to draw, oil pastel stick?

[@neimyx1]

He just created a million dollars in 15 minutes.

[@cliffdariff74]

used about $500 worth of art materials? those paint sticks he's breaking to pieces aren't cheap. good thing he's got a gallery selling his work!

[@justsomeguywithamustache6750]

What do you call that black stick he used at the beginning what brand is that

[@cliffdariff74]

@@justsomeguywithamustache6750 I'm guessing it's an Oil Paint Sticks, there are many types. it's not charcoal. paint sticks come in different sizes, diff prices depend on brand. I think the good ones are Sennellier. same type Picasso used. that's why he said it breaks easy. then looks he's using some brushes to smear .. also he can put some turps on the brush to get a wash.... oil paint sticks need be on oil based paper, they do take time to dry, they are not like oil pastels.

[@justsomeguywithamustache6750]

@@cliffdariff74 thanks man

[@CraigBradford]

@@justsomeguywithamustache6750 R&F pigment sticks

[@justsomeguywithamustache6750]

@@CraigBradford thanks

[@1eepu55er]

This would be much more accessible if it were captioned.

[@ichussslangday5530]

Thank you somuch for sharing.. Im so inspired😘

[@oki5072]

What a beautiful painting. Love from Indonesia...

[@hattorihanzo8385]

How did he stick the canvas on to the wall?

[@irislorikeet4287]

What is he painting with ?

[@terry-zZ]

can you also use normal oil pastels to draw like this or did I buy the wrong thing? first time watching i thought this were oil pastels

[@michaelkantu1387]

oil bar

[@abiegreyvenstein5427]

christ

[@gettamnaveenartswork1106]

Awesome loved it? This one my art's channel

[@Genia-y8u]

7:30 что это за краски

[@furrystep]

Oy this vid in itself is a new type of artform.. performance painting POV experience

[@LLULL-yn1rr]

I don't like. What a ...

[@_chary990]

just what i wanted

[@kim_jjackji]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@youareamazingyesyou5880]

i love this video,, thank you! Do you know is that oil bar he is using? And is it on a certain type of paper, or is it canvas?

[@tonis2u]

he's using R&F pigment sticks, heavy stock paper

[@freedommusicireland7398]

@@tonis2u thankyou

[@nokiot9]

Jaysus that man is using a 100$ oil stick like it’s a piece of sidewalk chalk 😨 and didn’t even flinch when it snapped in half

[@WhizMitchell]

George Condo is an amazing artist.

[@dylanoparah4146]

Hello, please do you have an idea what surface he’s painting on? Is it paper? Can you tell me how frame such work?

[@MahmoodMikdadi]

insane.. artist!!

[@bigbalok]

That's Picasso...

[@melvynn11]

Anyone have a good idea of what exact type of paper he is using and where to buy? It’s huge!! Over 5’ tall I’m guessing. Tips?? Thx ❤️❤️🌻🌻🌻🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜💞💞💞🌹👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💐💐🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸😀😀😀😀

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

x)

[@johnnycage435]

Wonder how much it sold for

[@universalhologram7266]

More importantly, how did it make you feel?

[@tomlsdj5535]

what a great talent ....

[@monetagreat7981]

My style 😮❤

[@alemultijet]

Un po’ cubista, un po’ impressionista, un po’ fumettistico. Bellissimo stile

[@maxresdefault3691]

Look at all the scraps on teh flooor. Can you seel some of that artist dust or scraps sure many fans would be able to use it and wilig to bye

[@FrankCarrollCreative]

I wonder how does George mount these when they are finished

[@DHU11]

Asmr

[@FrankCarrollCreative]

Is that canvas or paper??? Also is he using oil pastel???

[@miguelsuarez8010]

Haha... nude sleeping bus driver with a drink! Next it could be a blind airline pilot...