Mark Kostabi (1960) - optional identity

Delicious drawing made with markers on approximately 21x30 cm paper by Mark Kostabi. The work comes from the solo exhibition held by Maestro Kostabi in 1985 at the Ray Hughes Gallery in Brisbane, Australia (one of the artist's first major exhibitions). The drawing is, of course, accompanied by an authentic signed photo by the master confirming its absolute authenticity. The piece is excellently framed with a black frame and double protective glass (the authentic signed photo is placed inside the double glass, on the back of the drawing).
Mark Kostabi was born into a family of Estonian immigrants in California, where he spent the early years of his life in Whittier. He studied drawing and painting at California State University. In 1982, he moved to New York, and from 1984, he became an important figure within the East Village art movement. During these years, he enjoyed using provocative mass media, including self-interviews focused on contemporary art.

Since 1987, he has received international recognition, and his works are requested by galleries in Japan, the United States, Australia, and Germany. In 1988, he founded 'Kostabi World': his studio, gallery, and office in New York. Thanks to many assistants, this facility produces about 1,000 paintings a year, all signed by the master. Since 1996, he has divided his life between New York and Rome, where he has become a role model for many Italian artists.

Kostabi is best known for his paintings of faceless figures that often comment on political, social, and psychological issues related to contemporary society, whose stylistic and visual roots can be traced back to the works of Giorgio de Chirico and Fernand Léger. In addition to exhibitions related to the art world, Kostabi has designed and created numerous album covers for international musicians.
His exhibitions are countless, making it difficult to list them all. His works are also part of collections at the MOMA in New York and the GAM in Rome.