The Independent profiles artist Charles Lutz, a studio assistant for Jeff Koons, who copies Warhols and critiques the art market:

Having pulled off his Warhol coup, Lutz turned his attention to a series of circular paintings, Sold, which critique the art market, and in particular contemporary art at auction. Hawk (Tobias Meyer) – depicting the esteemed auctioneer alongside a gilded hawk –spares no expense in its attempt to mirror “the indulgent nature of art collecting” and the “flock-like atmosphere of auctions”.

“Like Hirst, I am acknowledging the importance of the secondary market, especially auctions. It is interesting that it has taken so long for artists to take new work straight to auctions.”

Two Birds – another round piece – set against a lime-green background shows Meyer’s face, alongside two chubby birds. Christ – also in the Sold series – is clearly a play on the word Christie’s, whose shiny logo is plastered on the wall behind another of his auction paintings. “There is conflict in having a charismatic auctioneer. Meyer has the power to create a demand for something and to influence prices in contemporary art,” says Lutz. “These paintings reflect the character of the market. We are in a time of financial uncertainty yet the rich are spending even more now in the US. The paintings are not preaching to a mass but to the powers that be.”

Imitation of life: He almost duped Andy Warhol’s estate. Now Charles Lutz is targeting the auctioneers (The Independent)