Zentrum

Kenny Scharf - Zentrum (2005)

The work Zentrum by Kenny Scharf, executed in 2005 in oil on canvas and measuring 116.8 × 108 cm, presents itself as a dense and immersive composition, organized around a central core that appears to attract and radiate across the entire visual field. At the center of the painted surface unfolds a dark, deep-blue form, traversed by a constellation of signs, stylized faces, hybrid creatures, and floating symbols, drawn with thin, luminous lines that emphasize its dynamic character. Surrounding this nucleus, a bright green field creates an effect of expansion, like an energetic halo that envelops and connects the many figures scattered throughout the space.

The visual language is unmistakably Scharf’s: an imaginary world populated by anthropomorphic and cosmic entities, ambiguous smiles, floating eyes, and organic forms that interweave without an evident hierarchy. The surface is animated by continuous chromatic variation and a dense rhythm of marks, transforming the canvas into a pulsating environment rather than a static scene. The use of oil allows for smooth transitions and luminous layering, reinforcing the sense of depth and internal movement.

A fundamental element of the work is the frame, conceived as an integral part of the composition. Richly decorated and gilded, with curvilinear motifs and ornamental details, the frame creates a marked contrast with the pop and visionary aesthetic of the painting, enclosing the image as a precious, almost ritual object.

In Zentrum, Scharf thus constructs a visual and symbolic center in which painting, mark, and support converge, giving form to an autonomous, saturated, and enveloping universe that invites the viewer’s gaze to move continuously between detail and totality.

Kenny Scharf, Zentrum: Prices and Value

If you are interested in the work by  Kenny Scharf, Zentrum and would like to know its price, click on “SHOW PRICE” to receive it in a short time by email.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information about the artist and his works for sale.

Experience the wonders of art with the wide selection of works available on our site.

Kenny Scharf - Zentrum - Unique piece

Kenny Scharf and the East Village scene

Kenny Scharf was born in Los Angeles in 1958. He later moved to Manhattan and enrolled at the School of Visual Arts New York City where he graduated in 1980. It was during these years that Scharf met artists such as Andy Warhol, who was his mentor, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring and, together with the latter two, participated in the art scene of New York's East Village.

Scharf's artistic production has ranged from painting, sculpture, fashion, video, performance art and street art. The main theme of his artwork is the futuristic promises that were being launched during the 1980s, popular culture, cartoon characters such as the Flintstones and the Jetsons, and also subjects that recall American culture and the middle class, in apocalyptic settings.

"I call it Abstract Pop Surrealism. My style is a dangerous escape from reality. To me it represents the evolution of man, not giving in to the aquarium tout court, not becoming a 'fish in water'. I travelled through the Downtown New York art scene with science fiction and futuristic spaceships. Today, I look at the pop art of the 1950s and 1960s with the same ethereal feeling: a splash of colour, irreverence and a lot of childlike wonder”.

During this period, Scharf also began exhibiting for major galleries such as Fun Gallery and at Tony Shafrazi's, and for the 1985 Whitney Biennial, where Demetria Daniels commented his artwork saying that ... "leaves you with hope, joy, playfulness and optimism, and a sense of love".

This was followed by numerous international exhibitions such as at Galerie Bruno Bischofberger in Zurichor the Akira Ikeda Gallery in Tokyo.

The Cosmic Caverns

Breaking barriers, communication and creation are core concepts in the artwork of Kenny Scharf, who wants to communicate a lifestyle within his works. This is the starting point for the creation of the famous Cosmic Caverns, places where people can immerse themselves and observe the hypercoloured, fluorescent walls of the places he decides to paint.

The first version of the Cosmic Caverns was made in the closet of the New York flat shared with the artist Keith Haring in 1981. After this first experiment, Kenny Scharf transformed basements, galleries, museums, camper vans and suitcases into a psychedelic, multi-sensory experience.

In fact, Kenny Scharf's Cosmic Caverns aims to immerse the viewer in a universe populated by tags, debris, everyday objects, cartoon characters, futuristic and dreamlike environments and bright colours. The surreal world that is thus created comes to life under the black, fluorescent lights, which are reminiscent of American clubs in the 1980s and recall festive environments.

The Pop Surrealism of Scharf

Kenny Scharf has developed a distinct and uniquely personal artistic style in both paintings and sculptures. References to popular culture recur in his artworks, such as the appropriation of cartoon characters from The Flintstones and The Jetsons, as well as imaginary anthropomorphic creatures.

Through various ecstatic compositions and dazzling colours, Scharf presents an engaging visual experience that is both intimate and fresh. To explain his works, the artist coined the term “Pop Surrealist” to describe his unique practice.

The artistic production of Scharf is also characterised by the creation of sculptures. The artist decided to merge tribal art into his sculptures achieving the creation of tribal sculptures, which were first presented during the famous Luna Luna project in 1987 in an event. During the event Scharf, together with Basquiat,Haring, Lichtenstein and Dali, made monumental artworks in dialogue with all the other artists in the exhibition.

The friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat

His friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat, whom he met in the underground evenings in the New York of the 1980s, will have a great influence on Scharf during this period. In 1984, he will participate with the African-American artist in the exhibition American Neo Expressionists at The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art.

The return to figurative art allowed Scharf and Basquiat to participate in the exhibition Figuration Libre France/USA, organized in Paris at the ARC Musée d'art moderne, in the catalogue of which Scharftheorized a veritable “religion”, Jetsonism, composed of an alien coded language with tribal symbols that could only be known by the artist and those who decided to join his movement.

It was during these years that Kenny Scharf coined the name of the famous Fun Gallery, an exhibition space directed by Patty Astor in which the first exhibitions of Basquiat, Scharf and Haring were organized. These tribal symbols will forever be depicted by the artist in all the artworks inspired by the animated sitcom The Jetsons.

Kenny Scharf: Artworks for Sale with Prices and Value from Deodato Arte

For those interested in buying artworks by Kenny Scharf, Deodato Arte offers a selection of artworks by the artist for sale online.

If you are interested in knowing Kenny Scharf's prices, value or which works will be on display at the Deodato Arte Contemporary Art Gallery, please contact us by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

We are happy that you decided to buy an artwork. We'll explain how to do it, but always remember that you can also buy via email ([email protected]), by phone (+39 02.80886294) or by physically coming to one of our galleries.

PRICE

If the price is visible in the product fiche you can click "ADD TO CART" and proceed autonomously choosing later how to pay and how you like shipping (or pick-up it in one of our store).

If the price is not visible, you must press the "SHOW PRICE" button, so you will receive an email with the price and a button, "DON'T LOOSE IT, BUY NOW": if the price is right for you click on this button and you will be sent back to the site to complete the purchase.

TAX

if you LIVE IN EU

If you live in Europe (CEE) the price we show you already includes taxes. The works are taxed either with VAT exposed (5%) or VAT with the margin, if you are a private person you do not change anything, if you are a company: in In the first case, you will recover the VAT, in the second, no. When you put the works in the cart you will be separated from the vat exposed.

If you DON'T LIVE IN EU and you want an EXTRA EU shipping

Many works (not all) have an exposed VAT of 5% included in the price, this vat will be spun off! Obviously you will pay the VAT to your destination country, if due. For example if you live in Switzerland you save 5% but you will have to pay 8.1% to your customs, if you live in Hong Kong you will save 5% and you will not have to pay anything to your customs (lucky you).

SHIPPING

Shipments are insured, check the product fiche for more information, or write to [email protected]. For works in stock the delivery time for Italy is three working days, before placing your order please contact us via email ([email protected]) or by phone (+39 02.80886294) to check availability. 

PAYMENT

If you complete the purchase on the site you can use a credit card, or you can make a bank transfer. Payment in cash is accepted up to 5,000 euros physically in one of our stores. Payments in BitCoin or cryptocurrencies are NOT accepted.