Jeff Koons (1955) in Pennsylvania, USA and is an internationally recognized painter, sculptor and graphic artist. He is educated at, among others, the Art Institute of Chicago. His breakthrough came in the 1980s when he gained attention for his ready-mades in the form of vacuum cleaners in exhibition stands. However, Koon's main characteristics are his sculptures representing toys that he has enlarged and created in completely different materials than the original. Just as toys tend to do, Koon's art represents childishness, joy and desire. He is considered to be one of the world's best paid artists, in November 2003 an orange balloon dog sculpture was sold for just over SEK 390 million at an auction at Christie's.
