A painter of contemporary realism and collage artist, Damian Loeb began to attract much public attention in 2001 when a solo exhibition of his work was held at the Mary Boone Gallery. His work is controversial in that he is accused of appropriating or copying images of other artists. One of the reviewers critical of his earlier work was Jerry Saltz who wrote in 1999 of Loeb's work in an exhibition at Deitch Projects from 1998 through 1999:

"Damian Loeb's paintings are little more than Photorealism meets '80s photo appropriation. His work, which has the distinction of being simultaneously sensational and dull, is unable to engage you beyond a first moment of pictorial surprise. A bottom feeder, Loeb is attract...