Ben Vautier (b. 1935) is one of the most recognizable FLUXUS artists, known for his charming and subversive text-based artworks.

Often referred to simply as BEN, his creations, besides appearing in museums around the world, have been reproduced or specifically fabricated in many non-art mediums including stamps, apparel and even umbrellas.

Decades before Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger and Richard Prince, BEN created artworks with such clever, provocative and playful texts such as: "L'art est inutile. Rentrez chez vous" (Art is Useless, Go Home)

or "The Destruction of All Art is Art Too, Please Tear This Up" (1963)

There is almost a complete absence of figuration in his body of work...as such we are a big fan of this iconic but anomalous work.

BEN is honoring Max Ernst (1891-1976) one of the artists who defined both Surrealism and the Dada movement in the early 20th century. Fluxus embraced and was propelled by DADA's interest in the absurd, arbitrary and polemic. 

Somewhat ironically, this work is handsomely decorative and a chic memento to both the artists and the artistic movements.

Additional images available on request. 

Questions about this piece? .

Signed and numbered by the artist 

Silkscreen, 78 from an edition of 100.

1971, France

20"H 26"W (unframed)

Very good condition.