American artist Philip Taaffe(*1955 in Elizabeth, New Jersey) aims to recreate Paradise as a visual experience in his splendid paintings. Taaffe became internationally known as part of the Appropriation art movement in the early eighties, combining abstract and ornamental art. Ever since, he has been developing an international vocabulary of abstraction, turning the ornamental art of very different cultures—Arabic, Celtic, Pre-Columbian, Asian, and many others—into a kind of “international ornamental art” within the quadratic confines of the canvas. In a world dominated by a tendency toward globalization, Taaffe proves to be a mediator between cultures, since his process emphasizes the individuality of each one.

This monograph provides an overview of the artist’s entire oeuvre, with all works presented in full-page color plates. ( English edition ISBN 978-3-7757-2121-9)
 
Exhibition schedule: Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, March 8–June 29, 2008