Documentaries on Artists: A Visual Journey

Description: Directed by the elusive street artist Banksy, this film blurs the line between documentary and art project, exploring the world of street art and its commercialization.

Fact: The film was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.

Description: A compelling portrait of the Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, this documentary captures his fight against censorship and his use of art as a form of protest.

Fact: The film was made over the course of three years, with the director Alison Klayman gaining unprecedented access to Ai Weiwei's life.

Description: This documentary follows the legendary performance artist Marina Abramović during her retrospective at MoMA, offering insights into her life, work, and the power of performance art.

Fact: The film includes footage from her iconic performance where she sat silently across from museum visitors for 736 hours.

Description: This film explores the tumultuous relationship between artists Ushio Shinohara and his wife Noriko, showcasing their personal and professional lives through art.

Fact: The documentary won the U.S. Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This documentary delves into the contemporary art world, exploring the economics of art and the lives of artists like Jeff Koons and Gerhard Richter. It's a fascinating look at how art is valued in today's market.

Fact: The film features interviews with prominent art collectors and dealers, providing a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of art auctions.

Description: A heartwarming story of Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a postal clerk and librarian, who amassed one of the most significant collections of contemporary art in America.

Fact: The couple donated their entire collection to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Description: This film investigates the controversial relocation of the Barnes Foundation art collection, exploring themes of art, money, and power.

Fact: The documentary features interviews with art experts, politicians, and others involved in the legal battle over the collection.

Description: A tribute to the life and work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this documentary features interviews with those who knew him best, painting a vivid picture of his meteoric rise and tragic fall.

Fact: The film includes rare footage of Basquiat himself, providing an intimate look at his creative process.

Description: This documentary examines the life and career of Francesca Woodman, a young photographer whose work was discovered posthumously, through the lens of her family's experiences.

Fact: It was named one of the top five documentaries of 2010 by The New York Times.

Description: An intimate look at the process of one of the most influential contemporary artists, Gerhard Richter, as he works on his large abstract paintings.

Fact: The film captures the painstaking process of Richter's work, including his use of squeegees to create his unique textures.