Alÿs, Francis
Francis Alÿs was born in Antwerp in 1959. He studied architecture and urban planning. In 1986 he moved to Mexico City. During his numerous walks through the capital, he observed and documented daily life in and around this metropolis. It was his encounters with the problems of urbanisation and social unrest that inspired him from 1990 onwards to become a visual artist. He uses the urban space, which he reproduces through performative actions. His media for this include painting, drawing, photography, and video. Public space becomes his material, and his own body, or that of other people, his instrument, which he captures in public spaces. Step by step, he appropriates the social and anthropological dimensions of his environment, almost in a documentary and analytical manner, often in the form of series of works. Over the years, Alÿs has extended his excursions to other urban spaces, documenting London, Jerusalem, Venice, or Havana.
Precise, relevant social and political allusions run through his entire oeuvre. At the same time, these themes are expressed in a poetic ambiguity through his artistic language, so that his œuvre permanently questions the link between artistic, creative, and political intervention.
Francis Alÿs lives and works in Mexico City.
Works by this artist from our auctions
Following are some examples of works by this artist from our past and future auctions.We are always accepting consignments for our auctions. Share in our success – contact us today for a no-obligations auction estimate.
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FRANCIS ALŸS
CHF 20 000 / 30 000 | (€ 20 620 / 30 930)
Sold for CHF 78 380 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.
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FRANCIS ALŸS
CHF 14 000 / 18 000 | (€ 14 430 / 18 560)
Sold for CHF 33 240 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.
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FRANCIS ALŸS
CHF 7 000 / 9 000 | (€ 7 220 / 9 280)
Sold for CHF 11 250 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.
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FRANCIS ALŸS
CHF 1 500 / 2 000 | (€ 1 550 / 2 060)
Sold for CHF 1 875 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.
Details My catalogue Query
FRANCIS ALŸS
CHF 500 / 600 | (€ 520 / 620)
Sold for CHF 375 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.
Details My catalogue Query