Paul Pfeiffer (artist)

Paul Pfeiffer (born 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is a contemporary American artist working primarily in video, photography, and installation. He is known for his digitally manipulated and often disquieting works that explore themes of spectacle, celebrity culture, and mass media's impact on perception.

Pfeiffer's work often involves isolating, removing, or altering specific elements within found footage, particularly sports broadcasts and music videos. This process highlights the constructed nature of these images and their ability to shape collective experience and memory. He often focuses on moments of intense emotion or physical exertion, amplifying their impact and revealing the underlying mechanics of their creation.

Some recurring themes in his work include the deconstruction of iconic moments, the exploration of racial and cultural identity within the context of global media, and the investigation of the relationship between technology and the body. He has employed techniques such as rotoscoping, digital cloning, and slow-motion to create visually arresting and conceptually challenging pieces.

Pfeiffer received a BFA from Hunter College in 1991 and an MFA from the Whitney Independent Study Program in 2000. He has exhibited extensively internationally, including solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and biennials. He has received several awards and grants for his work.