the collector's folio

Chris Ofili Most Popular Paintings

The 9 artworks by Chris Ofili our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 9 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Chris Ofili · born 1968

The Holy Virgin Mary

1996 · MOMA - Museum of Modern Art, New York City · original 253 x 182 cm

Chris Ofili's 'The Holy Virgin Mary' (1996) is a provocative mixed-media masterpiece blending religious iconography with unconventional materials like elephant dung and pornographic imagery, sparking controversy and solidifying Ofili’s unique artistic vision.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Bending Over Backwards for Justice and Peace (left) and The Green Mirror (right)

2015 · la Biennale di Venezia, Venice

Experience Chris Ofili's vibrant 2015 dialogue between tradition and provocation with this striking oil on linen piece; discover its rich textures today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17731 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Popcorn Shells

1995 · Arts Council Collection, London · original 182 x 121 cm

Chris Ofili’s ‘Popcorn Shells’ is a vibrant collage of musical icons and African art, layered with resin, glitter, and surprising elephant dung – a playful exploration of jazz history and culture. Discover this unique artwork and own a piece of contemporary art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$790121 × 182 cm Commission at original size

Paradise by Night

2010

Experience Chris Ofili’s ‘Paradise by Night’ – a vibrant, provocative painting exploring themes of culture & identity. Hand-painted reproductions available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Double Captain Shit and the Legend of the Black Stars

1997 · Tate Modern, London

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20227 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Prince amongst Thieves

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Blossom

1997

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Pimpin' Ain't Easy

1997 · original 244 x 183 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$32728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1591183 × 244 cm Commission at original size

The Caged Bird's Song

2017

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 9 artworks by Chris Ofili
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22751 × 20 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Chris Ofili

born 1968

Quick facts

Also known asChristopher Ofili, クリス・オフィリ, Крис Офили, 克里斯·奥菲利
Color intensitybalanced
Works on APS9
Movementsneo expressionism
Top 3 worksThe Holy Virgin Mary, Bending Over Backwards for Justice and Peace (left) and The Green Mirror (right), Popcorn Shells
Top-ranked workThe Holy Virgin Mary
Art periodContemporary

Biography

A Tapestry of Identity and Provocation

Born in Manchester, United Kingdom, Chris Ofili emerged as a transformative force within the contemporary art landscape, weaving together disparate threads of culture, religion, and materiality. His heritage, rooted in his parents' Nigerian descent, serves as a profound foundation for an oeuvre that constantly negotiates the boundaries between the sacred and the profane. Through a practice often classified as punk art, Ofili has mastered the ability to confront the viewer with unsettling juxtapositions, using a signature vocabulary of materials that challenge traditional notions of beauty and value.

The artist's early development was shaped by his education at the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art, periods during which he began to refine a technique characterized by intense layering and textural complexity. His work often functions as a vibrant collision of worlds, where the aesthetics of Western painting traditions meet the rhythmic energy of hip-hop, jazz, and African art. By integrating unconventional elements such as resin, beads, glitter, and even lumps of elephant dung, Ofili creates surfaces that do not merely sit on a canvas but seem to vibrate with a life of their own.

The Alchemy of Materials and Symbolism

To encounter an Ofili painting is to enter a space of sensory overload and deep symbolic inquiry. He is renowned for his ability to use physical matter to evoke complex social and historical narratives. In works like Popcorn Shells, he meticulously charts a cultural lineage, creating a visual symphony that echoes the evolution of black popular culture. His use of resin dots and glittering surfaces creates a shimmering, decorative excess that simultaneously masks and reveals deeper, more jarring truths.

The inclusion of elephant dung, sourced from the London Zoo and lacquered with resin, remains one of his most discussed artistic choices. Far from being a mere shock tactic, this material serves as a potent symbol that bridges his connection to his Nigerian roots while disrupting the hierarchies of "high" and "low" art. This deliberate use of the grotesque forces a confrontation with themes of consumption, representation, and the breakdown of conventional aesthetic boundaries.

Legacy and Artistic Triumph

Ofili’s ascent within the international art community was marked by significant milestones that cemented his place in history. His recognition as a member of the Young British Artists group brought him to the forefront of a generation that redefined contemporary painting. A defining moment in his career arrived in 1998 when he was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, an achievement that highlighted his ability to spark intense public debate through works such as The Holy Virgin Mary.

This particular piece, a radical reimagining of sacred iconography, utilized cut-outs from magazines and map pins to destabilize traditional religious imagery, proving his mastery over provocation and grace. Throughout his career, Ofili has continued to explore themes of social justice and historical truth, as seen in later works like Bending Over Backwards for Justice and Peace. His enduring significance lies in his ability to create a dialogue between tradition and rebellion, ensuring that his visual language remains as vital and challenging as the era in which he rose to prominence.

Questions & Answers

How do I find works by Chris Ofili on a specific theme?

To find works by Chris Ofili on a specific theme, use the artist's By Keywords page, which groups the artworks by keyword.

What are the birth city and country of Chris Ofili?

Chris Ofili was born in Manchester, in United Kingdom.

What other names is Chris Ofili known by?

Chris Ofili appears under the alternate names Christopher Ofili, クリス・オフィリ, Крис Офили, 克里斯·奥菲利.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 4, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Chris Ofili born?
Which prestigious art award did Chris Ofili win in 1998?
Which unconventional material is famously used in Ofili's work to introduce a sense of the grotesque?
Chris Ofili's painting 'The Holy Virgin Mary' (1996) features which of the following elements?
To which country did the artist's father move when Ofili was eleven years old?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Chris Ofili

Every artwork by Chris Ofili in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Chris Ofili