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Tom Pfannerstill

American, b. 1951
Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisville Kentucky, where he is focused on the intensive carving and painting that produce his renowned, trompe l’oeil sculptures of everyday objects. His process calls for extremely close observation, both on the part of the artist and that of the viewer. These copies of humble objects require a recreation of not only the form and graphic packaging, but also of the marks, rips, dirt, and imperfections accrued by the original object over time. He says, “Only when I put [the original and the copy] side by side and begin having difficulty discerning which is which do I feel satisfied the piece is finished.” The work thoughtfully probes consumerism within a society that demands mass production and uniformity, while at the same time, on some level, craving and watching for the distinction–the particular story–that makes something unique.
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Chuck E. Cheese’s (cup)

Chuck E. Cheese’s (cup)

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art
Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Surfside, FL

Tom Pfannerstill was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1951. He earned is bachelor’s degree in 1975 from Western Kentucky University. Pfannerstill has been a full-time studio artist s...

Category

Late 20th Century Conceptual Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Fruity Cup (Honduras)

Fruity Cup (Honduras)

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Columbia, MO

Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Chip Chip Hooray
Chip Chip Hooray

Chip Chip Hooray

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Columbia, MO

Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Guiness 6-Pack

Guiness 6-Pack

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Lifestyle Condoms

Lifestyle Condoms

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pelican's
Pelican's

Pelican's

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Columbia, MO

Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

A Week of Coffee
A Week of Coffee

A Week of Coffee

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Columbia, MO

Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Zootopia Happy Meal

Zootopia Happy Meal

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pretzel Cup

Pretzel Cup

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Popeyes

Popeyes

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Epsi

Epsi

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint, Found Objects, Other Medium

Miller High Life

Miller High Life

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Found Objects, Other Medium

Superman Candy Sticks (2x)

Superman Candy Sticks (2x)

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rita's (cup)

Rita's (cup)

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates trash he finds - he then hand paints on wood - painted on carved basswood. These are carved wood sculptures and hand painted. There is no collage - it is ...

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Found Objects, Other Medium

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Four Lotus, Original Painting
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Artist Comments
Artist Guigen Zha presents a quadriptych of pink lotuses in varying positions and stages of growth. He creates an eye-catching contrast by realistically painting the flowers over the abstract gradient background. Guigen collages the subject to perfectly integrate the three expressive painting techniques into the composition. "It can also be hung separately as four individual pictures of the lotus," says Guigen.


About the Artist
From cross-cultural life experiences, artist Guigen Zha presents conceptual compositions of traditional Chinese art...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

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Previously Available Items
New York Coffee Cup
New York Coffee Cup

New York Coffee Cup

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Columbia, MO

Thomas Pfannerstill has worked as a full-time studio artist since 1986, following his education at Western Kentucky University (BFA 1975). He currently resides and works in Louisvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

NYC coffee cup

NYC coffee cup

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates found objects on carved basswood and paints over them.

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Found Objects, Other Medium

Guest Check

Guest Check

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Tom Pfannerstill recreates found objects on carved basswood and paints over them.

Category

2010s Abstract Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Found Objects, Other Medium

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art
Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Surfside, FL

Tom Pfannerstill was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1951. He earned is bachelor’s degree in 1975 from Western Kentucky University. Pfannerstill has been a full-time studio artist s...

Category

Late 20th Century Conceptual Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Sharpie

Tom PfannerstillSharpie, 2020

Sold

H 5.75 in W 1.75 in

Sharpie

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

Represented by George Billis Gallery NYC and LA. The works in the series “From the Street” are carefully crafted, carved and painted, trompe l’oeil depictions of everyday common obj...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Oil

Sun Maid Raisins (2x)

Sun Maid Raisins (2x)

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Fairfield, CT

The works in the series “From the Street” are carefully crafted, carved and painted, trompe l’oeil depictions of everyday common objects. On the back of each piece is a description o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art
Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

Miller High Life, Trompe L'Oeil Hyperrealism Decay Art

By Tom Pfannerstill

Located in Surfside, FL

Tom Pfannerstill was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1951. He earned is bachelor’s degree in 1975 from Western Kentucky University. Pfannerstill has been a full-time studio artist s...

Category

Late 20th Century Conceptual Tom Pfannerstill

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Tom Pfannerstill art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Tom Pfannerstill art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Tom Pfannerstill in paint, wood, acrylic paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Tom Pfannerstill art, so small editions measuring 4 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of and Barbara Fiore. Tom Pfannerstill art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,050 and tops out at $2,600, while the average work can sell for $1,450.

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