Afro Lunar Lovers II, 2005

Chris Ofili is a contemporary British painter who employs the use of a broad array of materials in his paintings, which contain an overarching theme that examines both the historical and modern day black experience. While he uses more traditional materials in his paintings such as glitter, photos from magazines, and resin, he is perhaps most famously know for his use of elephant dung in his paintings. His work has often been perceived as controversial in the art world and in the media, particularly his use of glittery, lacquered elephant dung as a material for his painting titled The Holy Virgin Mary, which is his most famous piece. The painting was dismissed by the Mayor of New York in 1998 and was even vandalized, although it was later restored. Other famous pieces by Chris Ofili include No Woman No Cry and Captain S***and the Legend of the Black Stars. In 1998, Ofili was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize. Today, he continues to live and work in both London and Brooklyn.