Kenny Scharf: MOODZ

Variations on the face: downtown legend Kenny Scharf’s permutational exploration of character

This new book by cult artist Kenny Scharf (born 1958) debuts his latest body of work, MOODZ. Comprising more than 330 circular paintings of faces–each one different–this ensemble gives form to a population of moods, feelings, expressions and colors. Scharf explains that the characters reflect aspects of his own personality: some days he needs to release his aggressive energy and they may reflect his anger; other faces reflect his exuberance and love of painting. Organized chromatically, the publication gathers the entire series of MOODZ, as well as exhibition views and documentation related to the project. It features an essay by American gallerist and cultural figure Jeffrey Deitch. A poster (28 x 21.5 inches)–on which all the faces are reproduced together as if to form a color chart–accompanies the publication.