Mark Kostabi biography

Mark Kostabi, born in Los Angeles on November 27, 1960, is an American artist who emerges as an eclectic figure in the world of art and music. The son of Estonian immigrants, he grew up in Whittier, California, and developed a deep interest in drawing and painting, studying at California State University in Fullerton.
In 1982, he decided to move to New York , where, from 1984, he became a leading figure of the East Village Art Movement. In this period, Mark Kostabi stood out for his provocative approach to art, often engaging in self-interviews in the media to discuss the utilitarianism of contemporary art.
The international turning point came in 1987, when his works begin to be requested in prestigious galleries in Japan, the United States, Australia and Germany. The following year, he founded " Kostabi World ", an innovative combination of studio, gallery and office in New York. Here, with the assistance of numerous collaborators, he produces around 1000 paintings a year, all signed by the master himself.
Since 1996, Mark Kostabi has divided his time between New York and Rome, influencing many Italian and international artists. In his paintings, constants stand out such as the citation of other works and the depiction of faceless subjects, clear homages to Giorgio de Chirico and Fernand Léger.Mark Kostabi does not limit himself to painting: he also dedicates himself to musical composition, writing and producing television shows. In 1998, he released the CD "I did it Steinway", composed and performed by him, which achieved great success.
During his career, he collaborated with artists such as Enzo Cucchi, Arman, Howard Finster, Tadanori Yokoo and Enrico Baj. He also creates record covers for international artists such as Guns N' Roses, The Ramones and jazz singer Jimmy Scott.
Mark Kostabi's works are displayed in permanent collections of world-renowned museums, including the Museum of Modern Art , the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Groningen Museum in the Netherlands. He created important murals, such as the one in the Palazzo dei Priori in Arezzo, and significant sculptures, such as "To See Through is Not to See Into" in San Benedetto del Tronto and a statue of Pope John XXIII in Velletri.
Appearing on numerous television programs and magazines, including CNN, MTV, New York Times, People, Vogue, Playboy and Forbes, Mark Kostabi shows a strong interest in the relationship between art and the market. He also produces the TV show "Inside Kostabi" and regularly lectures around the world.
Among the books published by Kostabi are "Sadness Because the Video Rental Store Was Closed ", "Kostabi: The Early Years" and "Conversations with Kostabi". His art, which reflects on themes such as solitude, confusion and isolation in contemporary society, makes him one of the most influential and discussed figures on the international artistic scene.
Living and working in Rome and Los Angeles, Mark Kostabi is now recognized as one of the most celebrated artists in the world, continuing to explore and challenge the boundaries of contemporary art and culture.