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OverviewUntitled (Flag - Large), 2013
"Drawing is a sculptural process. I always feel like I'm carving the image out rather than painting the image."
Robert Longo, born on January 7, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American artist celebrated for his impactful contributions to contemporary art. Longo's multifaceted career spans drawing, sculpture, photography, and film, demonstrating a versatile and innovative approach to artistic expression.Longo's formal art education commenced at Buffalo State College, where he studied under Joseph Piccillo. He rose to prominence in the 1980s with his iconic "Men in the Cities" series. These large-scale charcoal drawings depicted sharply dressed figures in dynamic poses, capturing the energy and disquiet of urban life during that era.His exploration of societal themes expanded with the "Corporate Wars" series, offering a critical perspective on capitalism and corporate influence. The scale and intensity of these works solidified Longo's reputation as an artist unafraid to engage with pressing issues.In addition to his visual artistry, Longo ventured into filmmaking with "Johnny Mnemonic" (1995), a cyberpunk thriller starring Keanu Reeves. This foray into cinema showcased his ability to integrate narrative storytelling with visual innovation.Longo's impact on contemporary art extends beyond his individual works; he played a pivotal role in the Pictures Generation, a group of artists exploring the relationship between art, media, and culture in the late 20th century.Throughout his career, Longo has exhibited internationally, with major retrospectives at institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His commitment to addressing the complexities of the human experience, along with his influence on subsequent generations of artists, solidifies Robert Longo's enduring significance in the art world. -
Select Photography By Robert Longo
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Series
Robert Longo
Men in the Cities, Tokyo, Seibu Department Stores, Ltd. IV (Single Woman), 1990Lithograph40 × 26 in | 101.6 × 66 cmEdition of 48Copyright The ArtistRobert Longo’s Men in the Cities, Tokyo, Seibu Department Stores, Ltd. IV (Single Woman) (1990) captures the artist’s enduring fascination with motion, tension, and the fragility of composure. The solitary...Robert Longo’s Men in the Cities, Tokyo, Seibu Department Stores, Ltd. IV (Single Woman) (1990) captures the artist’s enduring fascination with motion, tension, and the fragility of composure. The solitary female figure, dressed in a crisp white skirt and black blouse, is frozen mid-gesture - her body arching backward, arms flung upward, hair cascading with kinetic energy.
Rendered in Longo’s immaculate black-and-white realism, the work transforms a fleeting instant into a timeless metaphor for psychological and social strain. Originally created for Longo’s 1990 Tokyo exhibition, this edition reflects the universality of his vision - where urban sophistication meets the emotional chaos beneath. Elegant yet unrestrained, Single Woman embodies the beauty and vulnerability that define Men in the Cities as one of the most iconic series in contemporary art.
News-
Robert Longo's Men in the Cities
Power, Collapse, and the Beauty of Control October 14, 2025Few series in contemporary art have captured the psychological tension of modern life as vividly as Robert Longo’s Men in the Cities . Conceived between...Read more -
Robert Longo: Drawing As A Sculptural Process
From the Second to Third Dimension February 10, 2025Robert Longo is renowned for his remarkable ability to create hyper-realistic, large-scale drawings that evoke deep emotional responses from the viewer. While his work is...Read more -
The Evolution of Robert Longo
A Chronicle Through Drawing and Innovation October 15, 2024Robert Longo ’s artistic evolution spans decades and reflects a deep engagement with the world around him. Beginning in the late 1970s, Longo gained prominence...Read more -
Robert Longo: Men in the Cities
Capturing Stillness in Motion January 15, 2024Robert Longo, Men in the Cities Series. Through his masterful use of charcoal, Longo created a visual language that not only depicted the zeitgeist of the 1980s but also transcended cultural boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the art world and beyond. Men in Cities prints and drawings are available for purchase at Guy Hepner.Read more
