Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Chinese, b. 1969

Alex Guofeng Cao discovered his passion, photography, in New York. Inspired by such masters as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Edward Weston and Robert Mapplethorpe, Cao studied and experimented with all methods and techniques of photography. While adept with color, Cao’s preferred medium is the black and white image. HIs deep fascination with the subtle gradations of tone between the deep black and the stark white are the genesis for all the colors he needs to create his world. Cao’s most recent body of work is a series of images of popular culture icons. At a glance almost anyone can identify some, if not all, of his subjects. But upon closer inspection, one can see that the images are composed of a constellation of tiny repetitive images each slightly differing from its neighbors. The arrays of miniscule visages that compose and conspire to form the larger portraits are iconic images themselves. The plot thickens as one realizes that there is a dialogue between the chosen characters that inhabit each other. The method of creation for Cao is that of composing a mosaic of memories into an impression of the present. Impressed and greatly influenced by the ideal forms and proportions of the iconic and statuesque sculptures of the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras, Cao’s works can be said to have their roots in Western antiquity. Another source of inspiration are impressions from his trip a decade ago to see the mosaic floors and walls of Naples and Pompeii. It’s the combination of these two base strategies that allows Cao’s works to take shape. The images are imposing and arresting. With their immense dimensions, their presence can be felt from quite a distance away. The powerful oversized main images and the armies of tiny images that compose them are specifically paired to create a dialogue. The histories and backgrounds of each of the characters are pitted against each other. The image of Marilyn Monroe is populated by countless diminutive images of the Mona Lisa. These two women are, arguably, the most famous women in the world. They share an unusual bond in that they are both, in some ways, fictional characters. The pairing also suggests another connection in that they are both fantasies. One is the fantasy of the 20th century and the other is the singular fantasy of Leonardo DaVinci. As one looks closer at the images and scrutinizes all the intricate details, one may begin to realize that hidden within the sea of tiny repetitive images are carefully chosen codes and clues that the artist inserted in strategic locations as a reminder of the events and situations in which these characters were involved in history. In the end, the process of encoding and layering of information of the times is ultimately the goal. As time passes, information gets deposited into the works. These images undergo evolution and change and bear the marks of a collection of history, as well as the artist’s intent.

Artist: Alex Guofeng Cao

Alex Guofeng CaoAmerica's Favorite Moment CocaCola vs JFK, After Warhol, 2013

Price Upon Request

America's Favorite Moment CocaCola vs JFK, After Warhol

By Alex Guofeng Cao

Located in New York, NY

Cao meticulously places each smaller image to form a dynamic gradient from dark to light which tricks the eye into seeing one image. This expertise in contrast is exemplified in all ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel, Stainless Steel

Alex Guofeng CaoLove You Tender, Kill Me Softly Elvis vs Warhol, 2013

Price Upon Request

Love You Tender, Kill Me Softly Elvis vs Warhol

By Alex Guofeng Cao

Located in New York, NY

In a captivating new collection, Alex Guofeng Cao dazzles audiences with his unique twist on instantly recognizable images. Inspired by history and pop culture, Cao manipulates one i...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel, Stainless Steel

Luis Miguel Valdes "Ceramic #43" 2018 original handmade signed unique Talavera plate bowl 16x16x5in, 2018

$2,400

H 5.11 in Dm 15.74 in

"Ceramic #43" 2018 original handmade signed unique Talavera plate bowl 16x16x5in

By Luis Miguel Valdes

Located in Miami, FL

Luis Miguel Valdes (Cuba, 1949) "Ceramic #43", 2018 Ceramic plate in Uriarte's Talavera 15.74 × 15.74 × 5.11 in (40 × 40 × 13 cm) Hand-signed by author ______________________________...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Uwe PfaffLimited Edition Reflective Polished Stainless Steel Sculpture "Just Dreaming", 2021

$1,702

H 16.54 in W 17.72 in D 2.37 in

Limited Edition Reflective Polished Stainless Steel Sculpture "Just Dreaming"

By Uwe Pfaff

Located in Cape Town, ZA

A limited edition shiny, reflective polished stainless steel sculpture. Edition 5/7.

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Jim RennertHold the Line, 2024

$25,000

H 52 in W 19.75 in D 24.13 in

Hold the Line

By Jim Rennert

Located in Greenwich, CT

Edition of 9 Suitable for outdoors. Renowned for his suited everyman character, Jim Rennert’s sculptures have graced the New York City streetscape for over a decade as public art in...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Stainless Steel

Grigorii Gorkovenko"CROSS" Sculptural Mirror 25" x 25" x 2" inch by Grigorii Gorkovenko, 2018

$1,250

H 25 in W 25 in D 2 in

"CROSS" Sculptural Mirror 25" x 25" x 2" inch by Grigorii Gorkovenko

By Grigorii Gorkovenko

Located in Culver City, CA

"CROSS" Sculptural Mirror 25" x 25" x 2" inch by Grigorii Gorkovenko MATERIAL: metal / mirror COLOR: nature metal A mirror surface fringed by a steel strip in the form of a cross l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Roger ReutimannContemporary Venus Inspired Automotive Painted Sculpture, 2017

$18,500

H 103 in W 24 in D 26 in

Contemporary Venus Inspired Automotive Painted Sculpture

By Roger Reutimann

Located in Boulder, CO

Inspired by the timeless elegance of the Venus de Milo - the iconic 2,100-year-old Greek sculpture at the Louvre depicting Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty - this contemporary f...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Uwe PfaffLimited Edition Wall Mounted Sculpture "Journey to the Center of the Earth", 2022

$328

H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 1.58 in

Limited Edition Wall Mounted Sculpture "Journey to the Center of the Earth"

By Uwe Pfaff

Located in Cape Town, ZA

A limited edition wall mounted steel sculpture made of stainless steel on black board. Edition 1/3

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Uwe PfaffUnique Wall Mounted Stainless Steel on Board Sculpture "Escape from Paradise", 2022

$992

H 17.33 in W 43.31 in D 1.58 in

Unique Wall Mounted Stainless Steel on Board Sculpture "Escape from Paradise"

By Uwe Pfaff

Located in Cape Town, ZA

A unique wall mounted steel sculpture made of stainless steel cut-outs, floated on a glossy black board.

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Luis Miguel Valdes Ceramic #14 2017 original handmade signed unique large Talavera plate 18x18x2in, 2017

$2,400

H 1.75 in Dm 17 in

Ceramic #14 2017 original handmade signed unique large Talavera plate 18x18x2in

By Luis Miguel Valdes

Located in Miami, FL

Luis Miguel Valdes (Cuba, 1949) "Ceramic #14", 2017 Ceramic plate in Uriarte's Talavera 45 x 45 x 4.5 cm. (17.75 x 17.75 x 1.75 in.) Hand-signed by author ___________________________...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Romain LangloisThe wind comes up by Romain Langlois - Wood-like bronze sculpture, golden, 2024

$50,731

H 25.2 in W 50.4 in D 15.75 in

The wind comes up by Romain Langlois - Wood-like bronze sculpture, golden

By Romain Langlois

Located in Paris, FR

The wind comes up is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Romain Langlois, dimensions are 64 × 128 × 40 cm (25.2 × 50.4 × 15.7 in). The sculpture is signed and numbered, it is ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Stainless Steel

Luis Miguel Valdes "Ceramic #16" 2017 original handmade signed unique Talavera ceramic 13x13x2in, 2017

$1,800

H 12.8 in W 12.8 in D 1.5 in

"Ceramic #16" 2017 original handmade signed unique Talavera ceramic 13x13x2in

By Luis Miguel Valdes

Located in Miami, FL

Luis Miguel Valdes (Cuba, 1949) "Ceramic #16", 2017 Ceramic in Uriarte's Talavera, Puebla, Mexico 32.5 x 32.5 x 3.8 cm. (12.8 x 12.8 x 1.5 in.) Hand-signed by author ________________...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Luis Miguel Valdes "Ceramic #30" 2017 original handmade signed unique Talavera ceramic 18x18x3 in, 2017

$2,400

H 17.5 in W 17.5 in D 2.6 in

"Ceramic #30" 2017 original handmade signed unique Talavera ceramic 18x18x3 in

By Luis Miguel Valdes

Located in Miami, FL

Luis Miguel Valdes (Cuba, 1949) "Ceramic #30", 2017 Ceramic in Uriarte's Talavera, Puebla, Mexico 44.5 x 44.5 x 6.5 cm. (17.5 x 17.5 x 2.6 in.) Hand-signed by author ________________...

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Uwe PfaffLimited Edition Reflective Silver Stainless Steel Sculpture "Self Portrait", 2022

$1,831

H 18.12 in W 13.78 in D 2.37 in

Limited Edition Reflective Silver Stainless Steel Sculpture "Self Portrait"

By Uwe Pfaff

Located in Cape Town, ZA

A limited edition shiny, reflective, silver coloured polished stainless steel sculpture. Edition 5/7. Subject to a 2-3 week waiting period

Category

2010s Contemporary Alex Guofeng Cao Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Alex Guofeng Cao figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alex Guofeng Cao figurative sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alex Guofeng Cao in enamel, glass, metal and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Alex Guofeng Cao figurative sculptures, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Xie Ai Ge, Ai Weiwei, and Michael Kalish. Alex Guofeng Cao figurative sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $28,800 and tops out at $40,200, while the average work can sell for $34,500.