The artwork titled “Snorkel Vest,” created by Jeff Koons in 1985, is a sculpture belonging to the Neo-Pop Art movement. Crafted from bronze, the piece whimsically reimagines an ordinary object, emblematic of Koons’ distinctive style.
The artwork depicts a snorkel vest that is seemingly realistic in its form and texture but crafted entirely in bronze, thus transforming an inflatable, lightweight object into a heavy, solid sculpture. The vest appears worn and slightly inflated, capturing every crease and fold, which showcases the artist’s mastery in emulating the softness of the original material. Koons’ meticulous attention to detail highlights the dichotomy between the object’s intended function and its actual composition, prompting viewers to contemplate the relationship between form and function, materiality, and perception.
