LONDON.- The Alan Cristea Gallery presents a major retrospective of Julian Opie’s editions, from 9 June until 9 July, to coincide with the publication of an Editions Catalogue Raisonné. One of the most important protagonists of contemporary British art for more than two decades, this exhibition presents 50 of the most innovative and exciting editions that Opie has produced, and chart the development of his work from the early, very reductive landscapes and portraits, to silhouettes, animations, lenticulars and LED animations.

Opie has always strived to break down what he believes to be the illogical barriers set up between painting and design, and sculpture and objects – his printmaking and production of editions play a central role in this philosophy. Drawing from influences as diverse as billboard signs, 18th Century portraiture, Tintin comics, graveyards and Japanese woodblock prints, Opie 'paints' using a vast array of media and technologies. His works have been realised in silkscreen, vinyl, LCD, LED, lenticular and flocking, and he continues to push the boundaries of ‘traditional' artistic practice. Born in London in 1958, Julian Opie studied at Goldsmith's College of Art from 1979 to 1982 and is one of the UK's best known contemporary artists, exhibiting widely both nationally and internationally. His editions can be found in many public collections worldwide including The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, The British Museum, The Tate Gallery, London and MoMA, New York.

JULIAN OPIE EDITIONS CATALOGUE RAISONNÉ:
One of the most important protagonists of contemporary British art for more than two decades, Julian Opie’s prints and editions will be fully documented in a new 280 page Catalogue Raisonné, to publish in June 2011 and coinciding with a major retrospective at the Alan Cristea Gallery (9 June – 9 July 2011). Julian Opie: Editions 1984-2011 charts the development of the artist’s work from early, very reductive landscapes and portraits, to silhouettes, animations, lenticulars and LED animations. With an introduction by Jonathan Watkins, director of the IKON Gallery, Birmingham, this exhaustive work will reveal new insights into his working practices, and highlight his diverse sources of inspiration; from Manga films, cheese labels and billboard signs, to Tintin comics and graveyards, Dutch Old Master paintings and Japanese woodblock prints, Opie 'paints' using a vast array of media and technologies, and he continues to push the boundaries of ‘traditional' artistic practice.

Born in London in 1958, Julian Opie studied at Goldsmith's College of Art from 1979 to 1982. Exhibiting widely, both nationally and internationally, his editions can be found in many public collections worldwide including The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, The British Museum, The Tate Gallery, London and MoMA, New York.