Julian Schnabel

Julian Schnabel (b. 1951, Brooklyn, New York) is an American painter and filmmaker known for his bold, expressive style that helped define the Neo-Expressionist movement of the late 20th century. A self-taught artist, Schnabel first gained international recognition in the late 1970s with his large-scale, textured paintings, often incorporating unconventional materials like broken ceramics, velvet, and animal hides. His work is characterized by a raw, gestural approach, combining elements of abstraction and figuration, and frequently drawing on personal and historical references.

Schnabel's artistic practice extends beyond painting to include filmmaking, where he has also made a significant impact. He made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Basquiat (1996), a biopic about the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, followed by Before Night Falls (2000), which earned international acclaim and launched the career of actor Javier Bardem. His 2007 film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Throughout his career, Schnabel has remained a polarizing figure in the art world, celebrated for his fearless approach to both painting and cinema. His work has been exhibited widely in major institutions around the world, and he continues to create art that challenges and expands the boundaries of contemporary practice.