The shape of the swan holds a special personal connection for the artist; it was the subject of one of the first ceramic sculptures Koons made at the age of nine. For Balloon Swan, he worked for no less than a year and a half to perfect the shape of the neck. The result is a piece that aims for playfulness, while the simplified and reflective surface evokes themes of desire and acceptance. Koons states, “Balloon Swan harmonizes sexual energy. If you look at it from the front, it’s totem-like and male. If you go to the side it becomes female. Balloon Swan is reminiscent of classical works, it defines beauty as sexual harmony.”

The Animal Balloon Swan is part of the Balloon Animals set, which includes three of his most iconic sculptures: a monkey, a swan and a rabbit.

Jeff Koons Balloon Animals sculptures have made their mark on contemporary art history. They are part of Jeff Koons' Celebration series, which includes works made between the 1990s and early 2000s, in stainless steel with special paints. With Celebration, Jeff Koons praises childhood: the balloons - whose lightness is only apparent - recall the carefreeness and simplicity of children. After auctioning off the stainless steel sculpture Balloon Dog at the highest price ever achieved for a living artist, Jeff Koons has created smaller versions of it, diversifying the colors and subject matter. Partnering with porcelain manufacturer Bernandaud, Koons combined excellent quality materials and innovative processes with a high level of craftsmanship to create dogs, monkeys, swans, Venuses and rabbits.

Jeff Koons says he is fascinated by balloon animals because of their resemblance to humans. "We are balloons. If you take a breath and inhale, it's optimism. You exhale, and it's kind of a symbol of death."