Kim Kardashian’s Birkin Bag Artist George Condo Says: Kanye and I Knew People "Would Go Berserk"

Famous painter talks creating Kim's Christmas gift

By Cinya Burton Feb 14, 2014 9:05 PMTags
Kim Kardashian, Kanye Westinstagram,

Flashback to December of last year: Kim Kardashian stepped out toting an oversize hand-painted Birkin bag that was a Christmas gift from fiancé Kanye West. Next came the media frenzy. At the time it seemed everyone had an option about the one-of-a-kind accessory, some good, some bad—but all pretty passionate. 

Well, according to the artist who created the piece, that was kind of his goal. In a new interview with W magazine, George Condo shares: "The whole point was to take an icon of consumerism and change it, which is like blasphemy. ‘You can't do this!' It short circuits people's concept of what's untouchable, which is why it was fun to do. If I had just done it and put it in my closet, it wouldn't mean a thing," he said, laughing. "But when you stick that bag in the hands of Kim Kardashian, well, then you create a whole different atmosphere. It's about context."

He goes on to add the world's reaction wasn't surprising at all: "Kanye and I both knew immediately that people who knew our collaboration would think it was fun but that Kim's fan base would go berserk."

What is a bit shocking? The masterpiece only took Condo—who's work often sells for around $1 million—a mere 15 minutes!

Now that's fast fashion.

Watch the Keeping Up With the Kardashians engagement event Sunday night at 9/8c only on E!