Chuck Close

American artist, Chuck Close (b. 1940) is widely recognized as a mainstay of the contemporary art scene. Working in a wide array of media, the one constant in Close's work has been his subject matter: portraits (or as he calls them “heads".) These he has turned from mundane into magical, much in the way Pop artists took everyday items and elevated them to high art status. In 1988, Close suffered a spinal artery collapse that left him a quadriplegic. Nonetheless he found creative ways to complete his works, and the results are as stunning and thought-provoking as always. He has since regained some use of his arms, and works in a custom studio that allows him to continue his art.