Modern Artists Series: Gabriel Orozco

Gabriel Orozco, born in Mexico, in 1962, is one of the most influential artists of his generation. Dividing his time between Mexico City, Paris and New York, his constant travelling has been as much a part of his artistic practice as a lifestyle. His works, often playful and characterised by an ironic humour, range from photographs taken in urban settings that capture poignant and fleeting moments, to collages, sculptures, performance, paintings and large-scale installation works. These have included a ball of Plasticene the same weight as the artist, pushed through the streets of New York, gathering the dust and detritus of the urban landscape; a billiard table without pockets; and, a chess board featuring only knights, entitled Horses Running Endlessly. Beginning with an investigation of his early influences, Jessica Morgan traces Orozco's artistic development, concentrating particularly on his exploration of different materials and media. With more than 100 colour illustrations, six key works examined in depth and a new interview with Orozco, this is the perfect introduction to one of the most creative and stimulating artists at work today.