Mark Kostabi is an American artist born in 1960 in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his pop-surrealist paintings that often feature simplified figures and symbols, and his controversial approach to the art world. Kostabi grew up in California and later moved to New York City in the 1980s, where he quickly gained recognition for his artwork.

Kostabi’s artwork often explores themes of celebrity, commercialism, and the role of the artist in contemporary society. He gained notoriety in the 1980s for his unique approach to creating art, which involved hiring other artists to create paintings based on his concepts, and then signing the finished pieces as his own. This controversial practice led to Kostabi being criticized by many in the art world, but it also helped him gain widespread exposure and fame.

Kostabi’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has also worked on a number of high-profile commercial projects, including designing album covers for bands such as Guns N’ Roses and The Ramones. In addition to his art, Kostabi is also a musician and has released several albums of his own music.

Despite his controversial reputation, Kostabi remains a prominent figure in the art world and continues to create artwork that challenges traditional notions of what art can be.