Richard Phillips (American painter)

Richard Phillips (born 1962) is an American contemporary artist known for his large-scale, hyperrealistic paintings that often incorporate imagery from fashion, advertising, and celebrity culture. His work frequently explores themes of desire, consumerism, and the commodification of beauty within contemporary society.

Phillips received his BFA from Massachusetts College of Art in 1984 and his MFA from Yale University in 1987. He rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming associated with a generation of artists interested in re-examining and re-presenting existing imagery. His paintings are characterized by their smooth surfaces, vibrant colors, and meticulous detail. He often utilizes airbrush techniques to achieve a polished and seductive aesthetic.

Phillips' source material includes magazine advertisements, internet pornography, and photographs of celebrities, which he appropriates and manipulates to create new and often unsettling compositions. He is interested in the psychological impact of these images and the ways in which they shape our perceptions of beauty and success. His work has been interpreted as both celebratory and critical of consumer culture.

Phillips' work has been exhibited extensively in museums and galleries around the world, including solo exhibitions at the Le Consortium in Dijon, France, the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, and the Dallas Contemporary. He is represented by Gagosian Gallery.