“"Letters to..." series”

The series “Letters to...” is known for appropriating cultural symbols and details from iconic works, transforming and recontextualizing them to create new narratives and meanings. Nelson Leirner offers a satirical critique of the art world, questioning the originality, value, and excessive veneration of established works, while simultaneously exposing the power dynamics and market forces within the art world.

Leirner used the numbering “1999 + xx” to date his works, reflecting a personal view that he was “in the black” for having lived so long. He believed that everything after 1999 was a bonus, a joke that was consistent with his acerbic and satirical style. This habit challenged traditional naming conventions in art, adding context and additional meaning to each work.