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Curtis Kulig

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Curtis Kulig
Born
Curtis-Ross Kulig

Minot, North Dakota
NationalityAmerican
Known forArtist
Websitewww.curtiskulig.com

Curtis Kulig is an American artist who lives and works New York City.

Early life

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Kulig was born in 1981 in Minot, North Dakota. At a young age he was encouraged to follow an artistic path by his uncle Phillip Salvato (American painter) and father Walter Kulig (screen printer). In the year 2000, Kulig moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19. He then moved to New York City in 2007. Kulig attended New York Academy of Art in NYC.[1][2][3]

Artistic ventures

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Love Me design by Curtis Kulig

A decade ago, his private plea 'Love Me' became part of the urban fabric of the city. A loyal audience ensued embracing the declaration with hope and optimism making the mark a global icon. His studio practice consists of several mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, film-making, neon text and film photography.[4] In 2018 he collaborated with Grear Patterson and Yves Scherer on a group show called "Happiness".[5] In this show he debuted his self-help series with a collection of mixed media work. They are collage-like mixtures of harsh brushstrokes, emotive sketches, and a mix of found photographs. He also created a video for the show, 36 Men, which displays thirty-six men demanding love. Later that year he showcased his work in a solo exhibition at Galerie du jour Agnes b. called Prize.[6] The exhibition featured an installation that included more than 30 drawings, ceramics, a large-scale painting, and an 8mm film in which Kulig invited Aska Matsumiya to develop a soundscape.[7]

Kulig also appears in collaborations with Mark Gonzales, Max Blagg, Robert Longo and the New Museum.[8][9][10]

Commercial ventures

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Kulig is no stranger when it comes to art in the commercial space. Over his career he has worked with hundreds of brands on collaborations using his artwork and designs. Companies such as Nike, Starbucks, and Google have all teamed up with Kulig to create unique pieces showcasing his work.

Notably, Cartier and Kulig teamed up to create "Love Me" branded jewelry.[11] In 2015 the UK-based retailer Topman enlisted Kulig to collaborate on the brand's first collection with an American artist. The eclectic collection, which ranges from $30 to $350, features details of his original artwork in pieces that reflect his signature style.[12] In 2015 Kulig and Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake collaborated on his signature Bao Bao bags.[13]

He has been featured in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes; is a frequent contributor of works to charity auctions including Free Arts, (RED), Art of Elysium, the Tibetan Fund, Hilarity for Charity and Revlon's "Love Is On" Million Dollar Challenge in support of Women's Health.

In 2021 Kulig donated work to the Tribeca Film Festival curated by Vito Schnabel.[14]

In 2022 Kulig worked with Tiffany & Co. whilst retaining his original “Love Me” concept, Kulig also created other love-themed messages such as: “Dare Me,” “Know Me,” and “Kiss Me” to be displayed alongside the Tiffany HardWear, Tiffany Knot and Tiffany T collections.[15]

Selected works

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•Scripture (2011), Mallick Williams & Co. Gallery: Kullig's large paintings of textured patterns were intentionally displayed in shrink wrap and staged in the corner of the gallery, leaving visitors to wonder if the work was out of place.[16]

Scripture (2011) Mallack Williams Co Gallery

•Happiness (2018): a group show in which Kulig contributed large-scale mixed media paintings and video. The paintings are collage-like mixtures of harsh brush strokes, emotive sketches, and original photographs.[17]

•Prize, Pacific Publishing, (2018): a book by Kulig featuring forty mixed media works on paper that explore the nuanced and poetic movement of twisting figures from the sport of boxing.[18]

Elderly Puppy Love with Mark Gonzales

•Elderly Puppy Love, Brizzolis, (2020), Kulig and collaborator Mark Gonzales worked with Spanish publisher Brizzolis to create a 132-page softcover book of original drawings and handwriting, bridging their definitive styles to illustrate iconic cultural figures and convey poetic expressions of American life.[19]

All Smiles (2021) Kantor Gallery

•All Smiles (2021): a solo exhibition at Kantor Gallery by Kulig connecting his signature take on the phrase “love me” with the iconic smiley face into an array of colorful circular-shaped paintings.[20]

•Loud Money, Paradigm Publishing, (2021), After meeting and working together on an abandoned performance piece for the MOMA, Writer Max Blagg and Kulig turned their dynamic friendship into a book of photos, drawings, poems, and paintings often referencing the culture, commotion, and cost of city living. The book features an essay by James “Jamie” Nares.[21][22]

Appearances in the media

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  • DKNY Campaign with Cara Delevingne, Fall 2013[23]
  • Kanye West 'Yeezus' Album, 2013
  • The Gonz X Curtis Kulig, 2015[24]
  • The GQ Eye, 2012[25]
  • Vans Shoes, 2013[26]
  • Terry Richardson's Diary, Fall 2011[27]
  • "Scripture" exhibit with Skullphone, Mallick Williams Gallery (NYC), October 2011[28]
  • Bedwin and the Heartbreakers capsule collection (Tokyo,Japan), 2018[29]
  • "Recine & Associates" exhibit with Steve Olson & Alex Olson, Nyhaus Gallery (NYC), Fall 2011[30]
  • Lovecat magazine, cover-title design/Paz de la Huerta, Summer 2011[31]
  • Joe Jonas "See No More" album package: Cover artwork, press package, "See No More" video artwork (MTV award for best lyric video), Summer 2011[32][33]
  • Nike, Free Yourself, 2011[34]
  • TED Talks x Teens, "The Art of Obsession" talk, Summer 2011[35]
  • HBO, Creative Director, How to make it in America, 2010[36]
  • Ace Hotel, hotel installation (NYC), 2010[37]
  • Installation collaboration with Barry McGee and Sage Vaughn (NYC), 2010[38]
  • Saturday Night Live, appears in program intro, 2010[39]
  • Nike featured artist[40]
  • Purple Magazine, Featured Artist, 2014[41]
  • Whitney Art Party, 2014[42]

Bibliography

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  • Mark Gonzales and Curtis Kulig, Elderly Puppy Love, Brizzolis Publishing, 2020
  • Max Blagg and Curtis Kulig, Loud Money, Paradigm Publishing, 2021, ISBN 978-1-7354450-2-1
  • Curtis Kulig, Prize, Pacific Publishing, 2021, ISBN 978-1-64467-965-4

References

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  1. ^ "Into the Chocolate Factory With Curtis Kulig". SW. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Greater Art Gallery, Curtis Kulig". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  3. ^ Refinery 29, 10 Up-And-Coming Artists
  4. ^ "So It Goes x Curtis Kulig". So It Goes. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Natalie Frank, Nick Cave, Cecilia Vicuña, and Other Must See Shows in New York". bfa.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  6. ^ "Prize by Curtis Kulig". agnès b. US. October 3, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "Prize, Curtis Kulig". agnès b. US. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  8. ^ "Mark Gonzales x Curtis Kulig". THE POSTERS. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Tribeca Film (April 24, 2013), Tribeca Art Awards 2013: 5 NYC Artists Show Us Their Studios & Talk About Film, retrieved May 5, 2019
  10. ^ "Curtis Kulig - Love Me Smiley Neon | New Museum Store". Default Store View. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  11. ^ "Juste un Clou: Digital Exhibition". www.cartier.com. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  12. ^ "TOPMAN UNVEILS COLLECTION WITH NEW YORK ARTIST CURTIS KULIG". MR Magazine. December 10, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  13. ^ Cohn, Alison S. (March 31, 2016). "Sip Sake While You Shop at Tokyobike". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  14. ^ "2021 Tribeca Festival Art Awards". Tribeca. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "Dazzle Your Darling With Tiffany & Co. For Valentine's Day". Harper's Bazaar Australia. January 20, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "AO On Site – New York: Skullphone and Curtis Kulig at Mallick Williams & Co. through November 8, 2011". Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  17. ^ "Natalie Frank, Nick Cave, Cecilia Vicuña, and Other Must See Shows in New York". Whitewall. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  18. ^ "Prize". Pacific. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "Curtis Kulig and Mark Gonzales - Elderly Puppy Love". Printed Matter. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "Curtis Kulig – Kantor Gallery". Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Curtis Kulig Goes Head to Head with Max Blagg". Whitewall. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Ten's to do: Flick Through the Pages of 'Loud Money' by Max Blagg and Curtis Kulig". 10 Magazine. April 3, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "First Look: See Cara Delevingne in Her New DKNY Ad". The Cut. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  24. ^ "Juxtapoz Magazine - Mark Gonzales x Curtis Kulig and Simone Shubuck Posters". www.juxtapoz.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  25. ^ "The GQ Eye on Art: Curtis Kulig". GQ. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  26. ^ "Curtis Kulig x Vans "Love Me" Pack". Complex. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  27. ^ Terry Richardson's Diary
  28. ^ Art Observed, AO On Site
  29. ^ "CURTIS KULIG x BEDWIN & THE HEARTBREAKERS". bedwintokyo.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  30. ^ Nyehaus, Olson Olson Recine & Associates
  31. ^ Living Proof Magazine, Lovecat Summer Sex Issue Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ Pop Crush, Joe Jonas borrows Curtis Kulig's Penmanship for 'See No More' Lyric Video
  33. ^ Joe Jonas News Archived July 10, 2012, at archive.today
  34. ^ Nike, Stadium "Free Yourself" Archived April 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ TEDx Talks (April 20, 2011), The Art of Obsession: Curtis Kulig at TEDxTeen, retrieved May 5, 2019
  36. ^ BLToutreach (September 27, 2011), How To Make It In America: 3 Days Downtown, retrieved May 5, 2019
  37. ^ Ace Hotel
  38. ^ "BlackBook, Art Basel Countdown". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  39. ^ "SNL Love Me".
  40. ^ Nike Destroyers, Behind the Scenes
  41. ^ "The New York artist Curtis Kulig with Purple Fashion magazine issue #21... - purple DIARY". Purple (in French). February 22, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  42. ^ "Whitney Art Party". bfa.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
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