Billy Conklin

Billy Conklin's's artwork will be available this summer at the Museum of New Art (in collaboration with the Art Garage) along with that of Stig Eklund, Hanne Bloot, Alcia Gil, Taki Murakishi,Jane Speaks, and Missy Wiggins.

Billy Conklin was born in Leeds in 1976, and currently lives and works between Detroit and London. His work has been exhibited abroad extensively. He received an Arts Council Research and Development Grant in 2004 and was a finalist for the 2008 Prinzhorn Prize Award.

Conklin is a British artist, one of the so-called second generation Young British Artists (YBAs). Although several early exhibitions caused Conklin to be well known in art circles, he was largely unknown more widely until he appeared before the public on a BBC television program. It was a South Bank production that visited young artist studios.

Conklin was completely drunk at the time, repeatedly saying he wanted his "telly" back and brandishing what turned out to be a starter's gun. It seems he drunkenly thought the television crew was from his cable company. It all ended with Conklin pushing a grip through a plate glass window. Although no one was injured, the incident secured Conklin's career.

Critical responses to Conklin's influence remain disputed. His early output has produced some of the most virulent anti-icons of contemporary art: his centerfold icon has been much imitated and parodied in books and advertising, and his 'Is London Burning' series has been equally contentious. However, Conklin himself admits that he had serious drug and alcohol problems for much of these years. Alternately, his work since being sober has been argued to be repetitive and reductive.

The majority of Conklin's works are made with assistants and other technical supports which some argue makes his authorship questionable. It is also argued that his focus on celebrity has contributed to the trivialisation of contemporary culture. If nothing else, Conklin certainly has had a key role in giving the visual arts a continued profile in British public life.

Art Garage, in partnership with the MONA:
17195 M22, Arcadia, Michigan