Appropriation

A practice central to the world of contemporary art during the 1980s, appropriation refers to the borrowing of familiar objects and images, and applying them to new and unconventional artistic contexts. The rise of consumerism and mass media broadcasting during these years allowed artists to make use of recognisable images from popular culture in their work. The technique has been rendered across several iconic movements such as Dadaism, Surrealism, and Pop Art.

Appropriation has been specifically attributed to certain contemporary artists, and some of their works have become globally recognized for their unorthodox and juxtaposing style. From Salvador Dalí's Lobster Telephone, to Andy Warhol's iconic pop art collages to Marcel Duchamp's “readymade" working of a men's urinal, the use of appropriation can certainly be recognized across a variety of contemporary movements. 

Today, appropriation remains a popular tool in the contemporary world, and we have curated a selection of artists whose work echoes this striking and innovative practice. Some of our favorites include Annick B. Cuadrado, Jeff Koons and Bertrand Lavier. If you're searching for works which surprise and delight, check out our top picks!

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Sculpture, Diamond (Red), Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons

Sculpture - 32.4 x 39.2 cm Sculpture - 12.8 x 15.4 inch

$21,941

Fine Art Drawings, Que Font Ces Gens, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Fine Art Drawings - 15.5 x 9.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 6.1 x 3.7 x 0.1 inch

$99,953

Print, Henry V, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 44 x 31.2 cm Print - 17.3 x 12.3 inch

$975

Print, Sainte Lucie, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 90.2 x 63.5 x 1.5 cm Print - 35.5 x 25 x 0.6 inch

$8,496

Print, Old Faust, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 38 x 28 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11 x 0 inch

$2,316

Print, Anemone, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 35 x 25 x 0.1 cm Print - 13.8 x 9.8 x 0 inch

$2,682

Print, The Kiss, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 40 x 25 x 0.2 cm Print - 15.7 x 9.8 x 0.1 inch

$1,828

Print, Apollon, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 75.5 x 53.7 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.7 x 21.1 x 0 inch

$2,194

Print, Old Age, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 60.8 x 43 x 0.1 cm Print - 23.9 x 16.9 x 0 inch

$2,194

Print, Zebulun, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 49.5 x 36 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.5 x 14.2 x 0 inch

$1,707

Print, The Dance, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$1,463

Print, Bullfighter, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 75 x 54 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.5 x 21.3 x 0 inch

$5,485

Print, Pastorale, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 72.4 x 63.5 cm Print - 28.5 x 25 inch

$4,200