Description
Artist: Denny Dent
Title: Stevie Wonder
Year: 1996
Medium: Original Oil Painting on Paper
Size: 69" x 53"
Inscription: Signed and dated "Dent 93"
Condition: 2 tears on lower left near signature
Authenticity: Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Denny Dent was an American performance artist known for his unique and dynamic approach to painting. He gained fame for creating large-scale, frenetic portraits of famous figures, including musicians and political leaders, using his hands and fingers as well as brushes. Dent's live performances, often set to music, were energetic and improvisational, reflecting his belief in the spontaneity of artistic expression. His distinctive "Two-Fisted Art Attack" style garnered attention and made him a prominent figure in the world of performance art.
In this large-scale painting, Denny Dent pays tribute to legendary American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder. Born in 1950, Stevie Wonder is a known for his groundbreaking contributions to soul, R&B, and pop music. Blind since childhood, Wonder signed with Motown Records at a young age and went on to produce iconic hits like "Superstition" and "Isn't She Lovely." With 25 Grammy Awards and a profound impact on the industry, he remains a musical icon celebrated for his innovation, versatility, and social consciousness.
Denny Dent's original Stevie Wonder painting is currently unframed. The photo showing the frame is a mockup of a frame and what it would look like framed. If you would like the piece framed we can work with our local framer at our discounted price to pick out the perfect frame for your home.
Denny Dent’s 1996 "Stevie Wonder" is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact. The piece has 2 tears, one minor and one moderate, in the lower left corner near the signature. Due to the type of thin paper Dent used, this type of tear is common. The photos of the tear are un-retouched and true-to-life; they should give you a very good idea of the appearance of the condition in person.
About Denny Dent
Denny Dent stands among a remarkably small cohort of artists renowned not only for the visual impact of their paintings but also for the captivating process by which they create. Best known for his stunning depictions of celebrities, Dent's finished works are unique masterpieces, characterized by vibrant colors and a thoughtful use of negative space. Employing a technique he dubbed the "Two-fisted art attack", Dent elevated speed painting into a form of performance art, garnering admiration for both the method and the final result.
Born in 1948 in Oakland, California, Dent's early life was marked by financial struggles, though his mother, also an artist, imparted a creative influence. Despite dropping out of high school during his sophomore year, Dent sustained himself by selling his art. It wasn't until he unveiled his distinctive brand of performance art at a Nevada radio news program memorial for John Lennon that Dent found true artistic success. Using both hands, he painted what initially appeared as abstract chaos on canvas, gradually revealing John Lennon's face and engaging the audience in a profound dialogue.
Denny Dent's reputation as a fast-painting performance artist was solidified from that moment onward. Becoming a celebrity in his own right, he opened for bands like Steppenwolf, integrating music into his performances. Dent expanded his repertoire, painting classical artists such as Mozart accompanied by symphonies playing their music.
Celebrated for his celebrity portraits, Dent's subjects ranged from Pope John Paul II and Jimi Hendrix to Jim Morrison, Rudy Giuliani, and Elvis Presley. Completing a painting in under 10 minutes, Dent carefully selected music to accompany his creations, syncing the completion with the duration of the audience's listening experience. Throughout his career, Denny Dent's dual mastery of celebrity portraiture and performance art left an indelible mark on the art world.