biography
Mike Bidlo, born in 1953 in Chicago, is an appropriation artist that produces very accurate replications of works by artists of the 20th century such as Matisse, Man Ray, Picasso, Pollock and Warhol. In the 1980s he started with performance-like pieces like the re-enactment of Pollock’s urinating into Peggy Guggenheim’s fireplace that earned him sudden recognition. Bidlo appropriates subjects and images from popular culture and art history into his own art and does so with a lot of appreciation and devotion. His works explore the concepts of originality and creativity.
The most recent series „Not Lichtenstein“ was exclusively drawn for his solo exhibition at Tobias Mueller Modern Art in 2018.
Mike Bidlo studied at the University of Illinois, Chicago (BA, 1973); Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (MFA, 1975); and Columbia University, New York (MA, 1978). He lives and works in New York City. His work has been exhibited at the Andy Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh), New Museum (New York), PS 1/MoMA, (New York); Sezon Museum (Tokyo) Saatchi Collection (London) and Fondation Cartier (Paris).
selected solo exhibitions
2021
Mike Bidlo. NOT MARSDEN HARTLEY, Milton Art Bank, Milton
2018
Mike Bidlo. Not Lichtenstein, Tobias Mueller Modern Art, Zurich
2015
The Value of Food, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York
2010
Mike Bidlo. Not Warhol (Brillo Boxes, 1964), The Lever House Art Collection, New York
2003
Special Project: Mike Bidlo - Matisse/Picasso: A Cross Examination, Museum of Modern Art, Long Island City
2002
Mike Bidlo: Not Picasso, Not Pollock, Not Warhol, Astrup Fearnley Museet fur Moderne Kunst, Oslo
1998
Mike Bidlo/The Fountain Drawings, Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, Zurich
Mike Bidlo/The Fountain Drawings, Tony Shafrazi Gallery, New York
1996
Not Warhol, Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, Zurich
1992
Not Lèger, Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, Zurich
1990
Mike Bidlo: Not de Chirico, Daniel Templon Gallery, Paris
1989
Masterpieces, Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, Zurich
1988
Picasso's Women 1901-1971, Leo Castelli Gallery, New York
Mike Bidlo, Seibu/The Contemporary Art Gallery, Tokyo
1984
Guernica: A Painting on Progess, Larry Gagosian Gallery, Los Angeles