Steve McQueen

Key facts

Born

1969, British

Movements

• Contemporary
• Video
• Film

Works held in

2 museums^[1]

Plan your visit to see Steve McQueen →

• What is Steve McQueen known for?+

  Steve McQueen is known for his work in film and video, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and social justice. He is also known for his feature films, including "Hunger" and "12 Years a Slave."
• What is Steve McQueen's most famous work?+

  Steve McQueen is best known as a film director and video artist. He won the Turner Prize in 1999. His 2008 film *Hunger*, about the 1981 Irish hunger strike, brought him wider notice. McQueen received the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for this work. He directed Michael Fassbender in the lead role as Bobby Sands, an IRA volunteer. In 2013, McQueen directed *12 Years a Slave*. It is an adaptation of Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir. The film received the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen was nominated for Best Director. Chiwetel Ejiofor played Northup, a free African-American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The film also stars Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Brad Pitt. *12 Years a Slave* received considerable critical praise and commercial success. It cemented McQueen's position as a major contemporary filmmaker.
• What should I know about Steve McQueen's prints?+

  Steve McQueen is best known as a film director; however, he also produces still photographic art, sometimes printed in limited editions. His artwork often explores themes of identity, history, and the human condition. McQueen represented Great Britain at the 2009 Venice Biennale, where he presented his film *Giardini*. In 2015, he created *Ashes*, a two-sided film projection piece. One side shows idyllic footage of a young fisherman; the other side reveals the tragic circumstances of the fisherman's death. His film *12 Years a Slave* (2013) won the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen was also the director of *Hunger* (2008) and *Shame* (2011). McQueen was born in London in 1969. He studied at Goldsmiths, University of London, and at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He won the Turner Prize in 1999. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011.
• What style or movement did Steve McQueen belong to?+

  Steve McQueen is a contemporary artist whose work defies easy categorisation. He emerged after 1980, a period characterised by innovation in art forms and media. McQueen's practice incorporates various media, including film, video, and installation. His work often explores themes of identity, social issues, and the human condition. He frequently uses long takes and minimal dialogue, creating a sense of tension and unease. Some classify McQueen's work within the broader context of Conceptual Art, where the idea behind the artwork is considered more important than its final form. Others see him as part of a generation of artists who embraced new technologies to find fresh avenues for artistic expression. His films and installations have earned him recognition in both the art world and the film industry.
• What techniques or materials did Steve McQueen use?+

  Steve McQueen's artistic techniques extend beyond conventional painting. Technique, in art, encompasses manual and mechanical operations that shape raw material according to artistic intentions. Some artists begin as craftspeople, then move towards ideas; others start with ideas and feelings, then address the practicalities of craft. Sir Charles Eastlake noted the importance of mechanical operations in conferring durability on artworks. However, some twentieth-century artists deliberately disregarded durability, and mechanical operations grew in importance. In painting, there isn't a single process that can be made into a formula. Francis Bacon said that painting is accident; he foresees it in his mind, but it transforms itself via the paint. He used large brushes, often unsure what the paint would do.
• What was Steve McQueen known for?+

  Steve McQueen (born 1969) is a British filmmaker and video artist. He is best known for his cinematic work. McQueen's films often explore difficult social and political themes. He won the Turner Prize in 1999. His early art films include "Bear" (1993), a black and white silent film. Another is "Deadpan" (1997), which recreates a Buster Keaton stunt. McQueen moved into feature films in the late 2000s. His debut feature, "Hunger" (2008), is about the 1981 Irish hunger strike. "Shame" (2011) examines sex addiction in New York. "12 Years a Slave" (2013) is based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a free Black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen also directed "Widows" (2018), a heist thriller set in Chicago. His "Small Axe" (2020) is a series of five films about West Indian immigrants in London. McQueen's work blends art and cinema. He addresses issues like race, class, and identity.
• Where can I see Steve McQueen's work?+

  To view Steve McQueen's work, you can visit several museums. In the United States, options include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles; the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York; and the Museum of Modern Art, located at 11 West 53rd Street in New York. Other US locations are the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis; the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond; the Wolfsonian at Florida International University, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art at 445 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida. In the United Kingdom, you might see McQueen's pieces at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London; the National Museums of Scotland Royal Museum, Chambers Street, Edinburgh; Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester; the Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, London; or the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton. There is also the Bakelite Museum, Orchard Mill, Williton.
• Where was Steve McQueen from?+

  Steve McQueen is a British filmmaker and visual artist. He was born in London in 1969. His parents were immigrants from Grenada and Trinidad. He grew up in Ealing, West London. McQueen studied art at Goldsmiths College, London, and later at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York. At Goldsmiths, he was among a wave of students who would redefine British art in the 1990s. Other notable alumni from this period include Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas. McQueen represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 2009. He has received several awards, including the Turner Prize in 1999 and an Academy Award for Best Picture for his film *12 Years a Slave* in 2014. McQueen was knighted in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the arts. He lives and works in London and Amsterdam.
• Who did Steve McQueen influence?+

  Steve McQueen's work, particularly his explorations of social and political themes through film and video, has resonated with many contemporary artists. His unflinching look at race, class, and violence, combined with his innovative approach to cinematic language, has opened avenues for others. Some artists influenced by McQueen work in similar veins, using film and installation to explore identity, power, and historical narratives. Others have taken inspiration from his formal techniques, such as his use of long takes, minimalist compositions, and emphasis on the physical experience of viewing. Though it is difficult to name specific individuals directly influenced by McQueen, his impact is evident in the broader art world. Many artists are engaging with similar themes and approaches. His influence can be seen in the increasing use of film and video as tools for social commentary and artistic expression. McQueen's success has also helped to legitimise these mediums within the fine art world, creating more opportunities for artists working in these areas.
• Who influenced Steve McQueen?+

  It is difficult to identify specific individuals who directly influenced Steve McQueen's artistic development. Some artists find inspiration in the work of their peers, engaging in a friendly competition that encourages new ideas. One artist described this as a "return match", where they felt challenged and motivated by the work of others. They also described giving ideas to other artists to see what would happen. One artist recalled being influenced by Analytic Cubism, particularly the work of Braque and Picasso, as well as early Kandinsky and Miro. They also analysed works by Matisse, Cezanne and Mondrian, as well as Renaissance and Quattrocento artists, Old Masters, American masters and African art. Another artist mentions being influenced by Minor White and Henry Holmes Smith. White encouraged looking beyond the surface imagery to find deeper meaning. Smith pushed the artist to develop their techniques and vision.
• Who was Steve McQueen?+

  Steve McQueen (born 1969) is a British filmmaker and visual artist. He is known for both his cinematic work and his gallery installations. McQueen won the Turner Prize in 1999. He represented Britain at the 2009 Venice Biennale. McQueen's early films include "Bear" (1993), a black and white silent film. Another is "Deadpan" (1997), in which McQueen restages a Buster Keaton stunt. These short films often explore themes of perception, identity, and the human body. They are usually presented as gallery installations. His move into feature films brought him wider recognition. "Hunger" (2008) is about the 1981 Irish hunger strike. "Shame" (2011) examines sexual addiction. "12 Years a Slave" (2013), based on a true story, received the Academy Award for Best Picture. "Widows" (2018) is a heist thriller set in Chicago. McQueen's work often combines formal experimentation with social commentary.
• Why are Steve McQueen's works important today?+

  Steve McQueen (born 1969) is a British artist and filmmaker. He won the Turner Prize in 1999. He represented Britain at the 2009 Venice Biennale. McQueen is known for films, installations, and sculpture. McQueen's art often deals with social and political issues. His film *Hunger* (2008) concerns the 1981 Irish hunger strike. *12 Years a Slave* (2013) is about slavery in the United States; it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. McQueen's work examines the human condition. He explores themes of identity, freedom, and injustice. McQueen's artistic approach combines formal experimentation with social commentary. He uses extended takes and minimal dialogue. This draws attention to the physical and emotional experiences of his subjects. McQueen’s work has had an impact on contemporary art and film. He encourages viewers to confront difficult topics. His art prompts reflection on history and society.