Chris Ofili’s earliest paintings and prints were some of his most radical, breaking boundaries and setting the tone for a lifetime of work that unapologetically explores Black identity, racism, religion and pop culture.
The Manchester-born artist made a big splash in the art world in the early 1990s, after he visited Zimbabwe at the age of 23. Deeply moved by the region’s Stone Age cave paintings, which incorporated endless (presumably) finger-painted dots, Ofili returned to his studio and infused his paintings with the exuberance of his travels — and with some of the little balls of elephant dung he saw on his trip, which he also found intriguing and brought back to England.
Ofili was a member of the Young British Artists — a collective of London-based artists that included Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and others that never shied from using non-traditional materials or tackling controversial subject matter. He found the spotlight in the late 1990s when then-New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani publicly criticized the artist’s monumental depiction of an eroticized black Madonna that featured elephant dung and images of female genitalia.
So it was that Ofili became, for a time, best known for his elephant dung paintings. Then, in 1998, at the age of 30, Ofili won the coveted Turner Prize — he was the first Black artist to do so — and soon afterward, in 2003, he was selected to exhibit at the 50th Venice Biennale.
Over the years, Ofili has incorporated other surprising elements into his work, including resin, glitter, beads, oil paint, and pornographic cut-outs — a rich amalgamation of textures and colors, iconography and symbols. He has also found himself surrounded by controversy, as in 1996, when he painted a Black Madonna with elephant dung on her breast, set against a background of genitalia cut out of pornographic magazines. In 2017, Ofili was awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in honor of his unusual and thought-provoking contributions to art.
Ofili’s work is held in the collections of some of the world’s most prominent public institutions, including the British Museum in London and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ofili enjoys ongoing exhibitions at prestigious museums like the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Tate in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Today, Ofili lives and works in Trinidad.
Find authentic Chris Ofili paintings, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
Crowning of a Satyr, Contemporary Screen Print with Gold Leaf, 2010
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Edition of 125 40 colour screenprint with hand applied 24-carat gold leaf on Somerset Tub Sized Satin White 410gsm. 76 x 60 cm (29.9 x 23.6 in) Signed and dated by the artist Chris...
Gold Leaf
Afternoon with la Soufrière (Prelude 4)
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Digital Pigment Print on 330 gsm Somerset Velvet Enhanced with Gold Leaf. Hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Paper size: 38.6 x 26.1 cm Framed: 57.7 x 44 x 3.7 cm Edition 5 ...
Digital Pigment
Use Your Heart
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968) is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approaches. He came to prominence in the 1990'...
Screen
$3,500
Chris Ofili - print R.I.P. Stephen Lawrence UK racial violence victim Signed COA
By Chris Ofili
Located in New York, NY
Chris Ofili R.I.P. Stephen Lawrence 1974 - 1993, 2013 Lithographic print in 4 colours with silkscreened glow-in-the-dark text 17 7/10 × 14 inches Edition of 100 Accompanied by a numb...
Lithograph, Screen
Chris Ofili - Mali Memory (Tea Dance)
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Chris Ofili Mali Memory (Tea Dance), 2014 Archival pigment print on Arches Aquarelle cotton rag paper wit deckled edges hand-signed and dated 25.4 x 20.3 cm - sheet 41 x 33 cm - fram...
Archival Pigment
Study for Ovid-Windfall
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Paper, Giclée
$6,183
Chris Ofili, Untitled - 2000, Signed Aquatint and Drypoint Etching, British Art
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (British, b. 1968) Untitled, 2000 Medium: Etching, aquatint and drypoint, on Hahnemühle wove paper Dimensions: 25.7 × 20.8 cm (10 1/10 × 8 1/5 in) Edition 3 of 100: Hand-...
Drypoint, Etching, Aquatint
Chris Ofili, R.I.P. Stephen Lawrence 1974-1993: Contemporary Art
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (born 1968 in Manchester) R.I.P. Stephen Lawrence 1974 – 1993, 2013 Medium: Lithograph and photoluminescent silkscreen on paper Print dimensions: 45 x 35.6 cm (17.7 x 14 ...
Lithograph
Satyr Night (Waterfall), Hand-Signed Woodcut Print, Edition of 120, Framed
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Satyr Night (waterfall), 2025 Woodcut print on Echizen Kizuki Hosho Washi paper hand-signed, numbered and dated by the artist on the front 39.8 × 26.0 cm - sheet 61 x 47 x 3 cm - Fra...
Woodcut
Chris Ofili, Poolside
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (born 1968 in Manchester) Poolside, 2013 Medium: Etching on wove paper Dimensions: 45.1 x 35.6 cm (17.75 x 14 in) Edition of 55: Hand-signed and numbered Condition: Mint ...
Etching
Tea for two – Tod
By Harry Bunce
Located in Deddington, GB
Tea for two – Tod by Harry Bunce [2017] limited_edition Screen Print Edition number 146 Image size: H:25 cm x W:31 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:41 cm x W:49 cm x D:0.3cm Sol...
Paper, Screen
$650Sale Price|48% Off
H 30 in W 37.5 in
Oedipus in Luxor /// Richard Merkin Figurative New York Pop Art Screenprint
By Richard Merkin
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Richard Merkin (American, 1938-2009) Title: "Oedipus in Luxor" *Signed by Merkin in pencil lower right Year: 1980 Medium: Original Screenprint on white Arches 88 paper Limite...
Screen
$38,000
H 21 in W 43 in D 1 in
Francis Bacon 'Three Studies for Self Portrait' Limited Edition Signed Print
By Francis Bacon
Located in San Rafael, CA
Francis Bacon (British, 1909-1992) Three Studies for Self Portrait, c. 1981 Lithograph in colors on Arches wove paper Edition 81/150 with Arabic numbering. There were also 25 H.C. (...
Lithograph
$2,800
H 39 in W 29.25 in
Josephine limited edition giclée on fine art paper by artist Richard Yarde
By Richard Yarde
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Limited edition giclée print on fine art paper of a watercolor portrait of Josephine Baker by African-American artist Richard Yarde. Hand-numbered 5/300,...
Paper, Giclée
$244Sale Price|45% Off
H 19.25 in W 24.01 in
Venice (Cityscape, James Rizzi, Fun, Vibrant, Palazzo, Historic, ~45% OFF)
By Linnea Pergola
Located in Kansas City, MO
Linnea Pergola Venice (Cityscape, James Rizzi, Fun, Vibrant, Palazzo, Historic) Giclee on handmade cotton paper Year: 2019 Image Size: 14.9 × 20.4 inches (37.85 × 51.82 cm) Paper Siz...
Archival Paper, Giclée
"Attendants, Bears, and Rocks"
By Brice Marden
Located in New York, NY
Brice Marden "Attendants, Bears, and Rocks" Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, 2002 Exhibition poster 17 x 22 inches Signed recto Exhibition poster for "Attendants, Bears, and Rocks" ...
Offset
Interior: Red Couch and Landscape
By Mickalene Thomas
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Mickalene Thomas (b.1971) is an American artist exploring the intersection of popular culture and art history, through a contemporary Black female gaze. As an openly gay Black woman,...
Varnish, Glitter, Archival Pigment, Screen
$400
H 10.2 in W 14.2 in
Victor Guadalajara, ¨Boceto Luna Roja¨, 2020, Piezography, 10.2x14.2 in
By Victor Guadalajara
Located in Miami, FL
Victor Guadalajara (Mexico, 1965) 'Boceto Luna Roja', 2020 piezography on paper Velin Arches 300 g. 10.3 x 14.2 in. (26 x 36 cm.) ID: GUA-999 Hand-signed by author
Screen, Digital Pigment
$795
H 29.625 in W 8.75 in
Yaacov Agam 1980s Abstract Vertical Orchestration Silkscreen Print, Signed
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Yaacov Agam Title: Untitled Portfolio: Vertical Orchestration Medium: Silkscreen Year: 1980s Edition: 23/54 Sheet Size: 29 5/8" x 8 3/4"...
Screen
$1,500
H 20.5 in W 15.25 in
Shepard Fairey War By Numbers Letterpress Fine Art Edition Contemporary Street
By Shepard Fairey
Located in Draper, UT
Hand signed and numbered by the artist in pencil, Shepard Fairey. Has hand-deckled edges. Obey publishing chop in lower left corner. War By Numbers Manufacturer: Obey Giant Edition...
Screen
$650
H 36 in W 24 in
Bob Gleason - Halloween 40th Anniversary Ed. - Contemporary Cinema Movie Poster
Located in Asheville, NC
Halloween 40th Anniversary Screen Print by Bob Gleason: To celebrate one of our favorite film franchise’s 40th anniversary, a phenomenal looking new...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Laser, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pigment...
$121,000
H 84 in W 42 in D 2 in
Odours of Punt Screenprint, Basquiat Style, Framed, Edition of 60
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in New York, NY
The specific information regarding edition will be provided at the time of sale. Please contact the seller for more details. Created in 1983/2024, 'Odours of Punt' by Jean-Michel Ba...
Screen
Afro Lunar Lovers II
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Gold Leaf
Yellow Day Dreamer
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Aquatint
Green Riann
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Aquatint
Turquoise Duo
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Aquatint
Blue Friends
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Aquatint
Rincon Falls
By Chris Ofili
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Chris Ofili (b. 1968), a member of the Young British Artists, is renowned for his vibrant, multi-layered works that celebrate Afrocentrism through both figurative and abstract approa...
Drypoint, Aquatint
Sold
H 25 in W 18 in
Afro Lunar Lovers II, 21st century gold leave and embossed screenprint
By Chris Ofili
Located in Beachwood, OH
Chris Ofili (British, b. 1968) Afro Lunar Lovers II, 2005 Giclée print in colours with screenprint, embossing and gold leaf, on wove paper Signed and dated lower right, titled lower center, numbered 181/250 lower left 18.75 x 12.25 inches 25 x 18 inches, framed Christopher Ofili, (born 10 October 1968) is a British painter who is best known for his paintings incorporating elephant dung. He was Turner Prize-winner and one of the Young British Artists. Since 2005, Ofili has been living and working in Trinidad and Tobago...
Gold Leaf
Afternoon with la Soufrière (Prelude 4)
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Digital Pigment Print on 330 gsm Somerset Velvet Enhanced with Gold Leaf. Hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Paper size: 26.1 x 38.6 cm Edition of 100 + 20 APs
Digital Pigment
Sold
H 19.3 in W 14.97 in D 0.99 in
Damascus Nude, Linocut in Artist Frame, Contemporary Art, Young British Artist
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (British, b. 1968) Damascus Nude, 2006 Medium: Linocut on wove copperplate paper, in artist's frame (covered in goat skin) Sheet dimensions: 30.2 × 20.1 cm (12 × 8 in) Fr...
Linocut
Sold
H 15.95 in W 11.46 in
Regal, Contemporary Art, Young British Artist, YBA, 21st Century
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (Manchester 1968 – lives in London) Regal, 2000 Medium: Lithographic print in 4 colours on a silkscreened glow-in-the-dark background, on Colorplan 270 gsm paper Dimensio...
Lithograph, Screen
Afro Lunar Lovers
By Chris Ofili
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chris Ofili (Manchester 1968 – lives in London) 'Afro Lunar Lovers' Giclee, embossed on paper, gold leaf hand applied by the artist Edition of 350 Signed, dated, titled and numbered in gold ink on recto Published by Afroco and Victoria Miro...
Giclée
Untitled, Red Dots, 1997
By Chris Ofili
Located in London, GB
Watercolour and pencil on paper 24.1 x 15.9 cm (9 7/6 x 6/14 inches) Signed ‘CHRIS OFILI’ twice and dated ’98 on the reverse. Provenance Crane Kalman Gallery Victoria Miro...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil