YBAs = provocative. The collective of artists who came up in London in the late 1980s and early ’90s — commonly referred to as the Young British Artists (YBAs) — have made their indelible mark on the art world and continue to produce work that both challenges the viewer and seduces collectors the world over.
Damien Hirst played the role of pioneer in 1988 by organizing “Freeze,” the first of several artist-curated group shows held in abandoned warehouses across London. Most of the artists participating in these early exhibitions — among them Sarah Lucas, Gary Hume, Liam Gillick, Mat Collishaw, Sam Taylor-Wood (now generating more buzz for her directorial work on the film 50 Shades of Grey), and Hirst himself — were graduates of Goldsmiths, University of London. The group’s sophisticated maturity and confidence in presenting Conceptual art with shock appeal, such as Collishaw’s Bullet Hole, a photograph that offers a disturbingly gruesome close-up of a man’s fatal wound, left a lasting impression with Charles Saatchi and other art world stalwarts.
From the beginning, Hirst was fascinated by such epic themes as death and immortality and sought to express them through unconventional, powerful gestures; his early works include A Thousand Years, 1990, in which flies feed on a bloody cow head, breed and die by electrocution within a large glass vitrine, and The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991, his Jaws-inspired suspension of a great white shark in formaldehyde. Following in the footsteps of artists ranging from Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, Hirst was inspired by mundane objects from daily life, incorporating them into his works, most famously his "Medicine Cabinets" filled with brightly packaged pills.
Notoriously dubbed an “enfant terrible” of the art world, Tracey Emin once printed a photo of Damien Hirst, stuck it on the bottom of an ashtray, and sold it as a piece of art. Represented by 1stDibs’ Lehmann Maupin Gallery since the late 1990s, Emin was a Turner Prize finalist in 1998 for My Bed, an installation showcasing her disheveled bed covered in underwear, used condoms and other debris. Overt sexuality and the emotional dynamics of love and sex have persisted as themes throughout her career, seen across the neon artworks for which she is most famous.
YBAs have never shied from using non-traditional materials or tackling controversial subject matter. Chris Ofili, a racially charged painter who re-appropriates biblical and mythological iconography, found the spotlight in 1999 when then-New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani publicly criticized the artist’s monumental depiction of an eroticized black Madonna, entitled The Holy Virgin Mary, baring a breast composed of elephant dung and surrounded by images of female genitalia. Marc Quinn reimagined the self-portrait in 1991 by casting a frozen sculpture of his head with his own blood and maintaining it in a refrigerated vitrine as if on life-support. More recently, Quinn has elicited strong reactions from a series of studies and sculptures of supermodel Kate Moss in a contorted, god-like pose.
Below, we invite you to browse our collection of original works by Hirst, Emin, Quinn, Collishaw and other YBAs — a group that knew not only how to provoke and self-promote but to create works that continue to resonate today.
Find original Young British Artists sculptures, photography, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
Tilda Swinton (Limited Edition of 25) - Celebrity Photography
Located in New York, NY
This 1986 black and white photograph was shot by British celebrity and fashion photographer, John Stoddart, captures Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton,...
Silver Gelatin
$6,602Sale Price|20% Off
Tilda Swinton (Limited Edition of 25), 30x40 In - Celebrity Photography
Located in New York, NY
This 1986 black and white photograph was shot by British celebrity and fashion photographer, John Stoddart, captures Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton,...
Silver Gelatin
"Nettle leaf", Kirlean Photograph, electrophotography, unique piece, Botany
Located in Carballo, ES
A unique piece by renowned Irish photographer, Fred Langford Edwards, his documentary photography acts as a kind of super detailed scientist in the field of arts. His work takes plac...
Photographic Paper
$4,500
H 16 in W 24 in
"Marilyn Monroe, 1962" Photography 16 x 24 in Edition 57/75 by Lawrence Schiller
Located in Culver City, CA
"Marilyn Monroe, 1962" Photography 16 x 24 in Edition 57/75 by Lawrence Schiller Silver Gelatin print Edition 57/75 Signed and numbered by the artist Printed later On Wednesday, May 23, 1962, Marilyn Monroe stepped onto the set of Something’s Got to Give to film what would become one of the most iconic and talked-about moments of her career: the now-legendary nude swimming pool scene. This extraordinary day—captured in a series of rare photographs by renowned photographer Lawrence Schiller—has since become a cornerstone of Hollywood history. Key moments that make this session truly historic: A Bold Cinematic First: Monroe spent nearly four hours in the pool on the 20th Century Fox lot, filming a sequence in which her character, Ellen Arden, appears to swim nude...
Silver Gelatin
Joan Didion, Hollywood, 1968 (Frame 33a.)
Located in New York, NY
This is a limited edition 16 x 20 inch print of Joan Didion by photographer Julian Wasser shot for her iconic interview with TIME in 1968. Listing includes free shipping to the continental US and a 14-day return policy. Please inquire for framing options or international shipments. We offer framing services through our New York location. Joan Didion by Julian Wasser Gelatin Silver Print Paper Size: 16 x 20 inches Image Size: 11.5 x 17.5 inches Edition 9 of 15 Signed and on the back by Julian Wasser and editioned on adhesive certificate History Behind the Photograph - Julian Wasser started his career in photography in the Washington DC bureau of the Associated Press where he met and accompanied the famous news photographer Weegee – who would become a lasting influence on him. In the mid-60s Wasser moved to Los Angeles as a contract photographer for TIME, LIFE, and FORTUNE magazines and becoming internationally known as the go to guy for getting candid but memorably composed photographs. (His iconic images of Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston; Marcel Duchamp and Eve Babitz...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Eleanor and Barbara, Chicago
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed and numbered on the back of print. Signed in margin lower right front. Signed and inscribed on mat backing board. Image Size: 7 5/8 x 9 1/4 inches; Paper Mount Size: 8 x 10 in...
Silver Gelatin
$1,765
H 11.82 in W 9.45 in
JFK speaking - John F. Kennedy Election campaign 1960
Located in Cologne, DE
Born in Cologne in 1922, died in Hamburg in 2004. Apprenticeship as a machinist from 1937, then studied engineering (not completed due to the war). Served in the war and imprisoned....
Silver Gelatin
Bakers Dozen
Located in New York, NY
THIS PIECE IS AVAILABLE FRAMED. Please reach out to the gallery for more information. ABOUT THIS ARTIST: Natasha Martin is an LA-based photographer who loves color and infusing dre...
Photographic Paper
Portrait of a Young Man
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Carte-postale printing on back of print. Unsigned. A very rare example. We have not seen another image of this portrait at market.
Silver Gelatin
Georgia O'Keeffe
By Yousuf Karsh
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed by the artist on the front of the mount. Printed later circa 1980-90s. Excellent condition. The piece does NOT include the frame. Frame shown just for reference. From the esta...
Silver Gelatin
Kathleen Kelly, 1971
By Jack Welpott
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed on the back.
Silver Gelatin
Happy Balloons
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT THIS PIECE: This photo is from Kimberly's "personal moments of happiness" series. LA based photographer Kimberly Genevieve is known for her use of color and interesting croppin...
Photographic Paper
Child Bride, 1958
By Jack Welpott
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed on the back.
Silver Gelatin
$8,000
H 8.5 in W 12 in
Man Entering Movie Theatre by Colored Entrance. Belzoni, Mississippi
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Signed on the front of the image. Image made in 1939 and printed mid to late 1970s.
Silver Gelatin
Rainbow Balloons 1
Located in New York, NY
ABOUT THIS PIECE: This photo is from Kimberly's "personal moments of happiness" series. LA based photographer Kimberly Genevieve is known for her use of color and interesting croppin...
Photographic Paper
BB #3 #4 Contemporary Mixed Media
By Ant Pearce
Located in Brecon, Powys
From the artist's Brigitte Bardot series Hand and machine sewn thread on paper
Cotton, Thread, Photographic Paper
The Fag Show
By Sarah Lucas
Located in New York, NY
R-type print Signed and numbered on certificate, verso This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City. A Young British Artist (YBA), Sarah Lucas...
Color