Chris Ofili (b. 1968)

“I try to make [the painting] more and more beautiful, to decorate it and dress it up so that it is so irresistible, you just want to be in front of it.” (C. Ofili, quoted in L. Macritchie, 'Ofili's Glittering Icons - Work of Chris Ofili at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York,' Art in America, January 2000)

“I think some of the most serious and weighty subjects should be presented sometimes in a light, glittery, glistening way to lure you in and then, slowly as you become accustomed to that, other layers start to reveal, to unfold. The paintings are layered. My surfaces are always about seduction.” (C. Ofili, quoted in T. Golden, ‘A Conversation,’ Chris Ofili: Within Reach, British Pavilion 50th Venice Biennale, 2003, n.p.)