Curtis Kulig is an American artist who lives and works New York City.
Early life
Kulig was born in 1981 in Minot, North Dakota. At a young age he was encouraged to follow an artistic path by his uncle Phillip Salvato and father Walter Kulig. In the year 2000, Kulig moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19. He then moved to New York City in 2007.
Artistic Ventures
A decade ago, his private plea 'Love Me' became part of the urban fabric of the city. A loyal audience ensued embracing the declaration with hope and optimism making the mark a global icon. His studio practice consists of several mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, film-making, neon text and film photography. In 2018 he collaborated with Grear Patterson and Yves Scherer on a group show called "Happiness". In this show he debuted his self-help series with a collection of mixed media work. They are collage-like mixtures of harsh brushstrokes, emotive sketches, and a mix of found photographs. He also created a video for the show, 36 Men, which displays thirty-six men demanding love. Later that year he showcased his work in a solo exhibition at Galerie du jourAgnes b. called Prize. The exhibition featured an installation that included more than 30 drawings, ceramics, a large-scale painting, and an 8mm film in which Kulig invited Aska Matsumiya to develop a soundscape. Kulig also appears in collaborations with Mark Gonzales, Max Blagg, Robert Longo and the New Museum.
Commercial Ventures
Kulig is no stranger when it comes to art in the commercial space. Over his career he has worked with hundreds of brands on collaborations using his artwork and designs. Companies such as Nike, Starbucks, and Google have all teamed up with Kulig to create unique pieces showcasing his work. Notably, Cartier and Kulig teamed up to create "Love Me" branded jewelry. In 2015 the UK-based retailer Topman enlisted Kulig to collaborate on the brand’s first collection with an American artist. The eclectic collection, which ranges from $30 to $350, features details of his original artwork in pieces that reflect his signature style. In 2015 Kulig and Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake collaborated on his signature Bao Bao bags. He has been featured in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes; is a frequent contributor of works to charity auctions including Free Arts,, Art of Elysium, the Tibetan Fund, Hilarity for Charity and Revlon's "Love Is On" Million Dollar Challenge in support of Women's Health.
