Jeff Koons Biography

Fast Facts

• The School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 2008
• Won the State Department's Medal of Arts in 2012, which was awarded by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
• Received the Americans for the Arts Artistic Achievement Award in 2006
• Studied art at the Maryland College of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago
• Worked at the membership desk at the Museum of Modern Art after moving to New York in 1977
• Before starting a successful career as an artist, he worked as a Wall Street commodities broker
• Collaborated with recording artist Lady Gaga on her "ARTPOP" album, creating sculptures for the album's cover
• Created an iconic sculpture in 1986 called "Rabbit," which was cast in highly polished stainless steel from an inflatable Easter bunny novelty
• A contributor to the Neo-Geo movement, his art explores the commercial systems of the modern world
• Designed the label for the Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2010 vintage wine