Jeff Koons is widely known for his work in popular culture and his sculptures of everyday objects. I remember first seeing his work around Astor place (which is very close to my home) where there sits a giant balloon animal rabbit in metallic red. I was first captured by the sculptures mirror finish and realistic balloon-like shape. Jeff Koons has made other work similar to this, whether that's other giant balloon sculptures (his Bouquet of Tulips or Balloon Dog), or animals (giant Puppy made of flowers and other plants, stainless steel Rabbit, etc.). His work is easy to recognize as his style is more shiny and eye-capturing (unless on the rare occasion he makes matte finished sculptures like his Play-Doh painted aluminum sculpture). Needless to say, he is highly talented in his idea work; however, he has said that he doesn't make his own work, and reffers to himself as the "idea man".

Aside from his work as an artist, he has been a long time board member of The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). Within this field, Jeff Koons co-founded the Koons Family International Law and Policy Institute with ICMEC "for the purpose of combating global issues of child abduction and exploitation and to protect the world’s children." I found his passion for child protection show up as a reoccurring theme in his sculptures by which I mean most of his work is balloon-like. This cross section of passion, interest, and art is something I find very interesting while I am trying to develop my own style of art/design. I find myself thinking about what influences me, what motivates me, and where do I want to make an impact? These are questions, it seems, that Jeff has already answered for himself.