George Condo's early work, particularly from the late 1970s and early 1980s, is characterized by his innovative blending of various art historical styles and a unique approach he termed "Artificial Realism." This period marked his emergence on the New York art scene, where he became associated with the East Village movement alongside artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.

Condo's early pieces, such as "Surrealist Landscape" (1983), reflect a profound influence of Surrealism, incorporating elements reminiscent of Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. This painting, produced in his East Village studio, showcases his initial exploration of creating realistic art without direct references to reality, a concept central to the Surrealist ethos. The piece features an enigmatic landscape with symbolic objects that echo the surrealist tradition of transforming ordinary objects into dreamlike symbols (Art in Context) (The Broad) .

In the early 1980s, Condo also worked briefly with Andy Warhol, an experience that further shaped his artistic direction. During this time, he began to develop his distinctive style, which involved the creation of grotesque, cartoon-like figures. His painting "Dancing to Miles" (1985-86) is an excellent example of this, merging elements of early Cubism with the chaotic energy of de Kooning's abstract expressionism. The title references jazz musician Miles Davis, suggesting a parallel between the improvisational nature of jazz and Condo's approach to painting (The Art Story) (The Broad) .

By synthesizing these diverse influences, Condo's early work laid the foundation for his later, more mature style, which he described as "Psychological Cubism." This approach combines the formal techniques of Cubism with a psychological depth, creating figures that are both humorously exaggerated and deeply introspective. His early portraits often depicted distorted human figures, reflecting a fascination with the grotesque and the absurd, which became a hallmark of his career (Wikipedia) (Art in Context) .

George Condo's early work is notable for its eclecticism and the bold synthesis of various artistic traditions, which helped to establish him as a significant figure in contemporary art. His ability to blend high art with elements of popular culture and his distinctive approach to figuration have continued to influence his work throughout his career.