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Almine Rech

Alex Israel

Los Angeles artist Alex Israel’s practice explores the iconography of his hometown, the Hollywood film industry, and the cult of celebrity, embracing its clichés and styles, and posits Los Angeles as central to an understanding of American culture and the American dream. In his paintings, sculptures and installations – including also elements from talk shows and performance art – he conveys, transforms and comments on this city’s mythology and aesthetic.

Alex Israel's oeuvre is a vibrant tapestry that captures the essence of Los Angeles, weaving the city's pervasive influence into the very fabric of his art. His work is an ongoing conversation with the cultural lexicon of Hollywood, where the motifs of fame and the pursuit of the American dream are recurrent themes. Israel's art is not just an observation but a living embodiment of LA's dynamic spirit.

In his artistic practice, Israel becomes an intermediary, translating the ephemeral nature of celebrity and the city's cinematic allure into tangible experiences. His pieces are not just visual entities but narratives that question and reflect on the societal constructs of success and glamor.

Israel's portfolio extends beyond the canvas, encompassing a multidisciplinary approach that includes sculpture, film, and collaborative projects. His self-portraits and skyline backdrops are just the entry points into a broader discourse on the intersection of art and the manufactured realities of the entertainment industry.

With each exhibition, Alex Israel invites the audience to navigate the narrative arc of his career. His works have been showcased in prestigious institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. These institutional shows are not mere retrospectives but explorations of his evolving dialogue with contemporary culture. Israel's art is a journey through the landscape of modern culture, offering insights and raising questions that resonate with a global audience. 

  • Biography

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  • Bibliography

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Selected artworks

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Driveway Study) , 2020

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Driveway Study) , 2020

    Acrylic on sintra
    61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm
    24 x 20 x 1 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Tower Grove Study), 2020

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Tower Grove Study), 2020

    Acrylic on sintra
    61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm
    24 x 20 x 1 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Over LA Study), 2020

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Over LA Study), 2020

    Acrylic on sintra
    61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm
    24 x 20 x 1 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (La Jolla Study), 2021

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (La Jolla Study), 2021

    Acrylic on sintra
    61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm
    24 x 20 x 1 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Profile Study), 2020

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Profile Study), 2020

    Acrylic on sintra
    61 x 50.8 x 2.5 cm
    24 x 20 x 1 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Rosebud, 2021

    Alex Israel Rosebud, 2021

    Acrylic on wood
    88.3 x 39.4 x 6.3 cm
    34 3/4 x 15 1/2 x 2 1/2 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Pelican, 2017

    Alex Israel Pelican, 2017

    External: Acrylic on fiberglass
    Internal: stainless steel, aluminum, plastic
    38 x 203 x 119 cm
    15 x 79 7/8 x 46 7/8 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Wetsuit), 2016

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Wetsuit), 2016

    Acrylic on aluminum
    140 x 61 x 45,7 cm
    55 1/8 x 24 x 18 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Wetsuit), 2017

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Wetsuit), 2017

    Acrylic on aluminum
    140 x 61 x 45,7 cm
    55 1/8 x 24 x 18 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Lens (Yellow), 2015

    Alex Israel Lens (Yellow), 2015

    UV Protective Plastic Lens
    213,4 x 243,8 x 35,9 cm
    84 x 96 x 14 1/8 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Desperado, 2015

    Alex Israel Desperado, 2015

    Acrylic on bronze
    35,6 x 24,1 x 25,4 cm
    14 x 9 1/2 x 10 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Untitled, 2014

    Alex Israel Untitled, 2014

    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 121,9 cm
    60 x 48 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Untitled, 2014

    Alex Israel Untitled, 2014

    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 121,9 cm
    60 x 48 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Triptych (Indivisible), 2013

    Alex Israel Triptych (Indivisible), 2013

    Acrylic on stucco, wood and aluminium frame, ceramic tiles.
    3 parts: 137,2 x 76,2 cm - 243,8 x 152,4 cm - 137,2 x 76,2 cm
    54 x 30 inch - 96 x 60 inch - 54 x 30 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Triptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Alex Israel Triptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Acrylic on stucco, wood and aluminium frame
    243,8 x 465 x 7 cm
    96 x 183 1/8 x 2 3/4 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Diptych (Indivisible), 2014

    Alex Israel Diptych (Indivisible), 2014

    Acrylic on stucco, wood and aluminium frame
    152,4 x 243,8 cm
    60 x 96 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Diptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Alex Israel Diptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Acrylic on stucco, wood and aluminium frame
    243,8 x 342 x 7 cm
    96 x 134 5/8 x 2 3/4 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Self-Portrait (Director’s Chair), 2014

    Alex Israel Self-Portrait (Director’s Chair), 2014

    Acrylic and bondo on fiberglass
    243,8 x 213,4 x 10,2 cm
    96 x 84 x 4 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      The Big Chill, 2012-2013

    Alex Israel The Big Chill, 2012-2013

    Marble and styrofoam cup
    12,7 x 7,6 x 7,6 cm
    5 x 3 x 3 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Sky Backdrop, 2012

    Alex Israel Sky Backdrop, 2012

    Acrylic on canvas
    274,3 x 487,7 cm
    108 x 192 in

  • Alex Israel,                                      Triptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Alex Israel Triptych (Indivisible), 2012

    Acrylic on stucco, wood and aluminium frame
    243,8 x 465 x 7 cm
    96 x 183 1/8 x 2 3/4 in

Selected press