"For me this shyness is the key to Mueck's extraordinary sculptures, the
secret source of their hold on us. By permitting his characters to keep
their secrets, he draws out the other crucial figures in any sculptural
equation – the ones standing and looking at the sculpture." (Justin Paton, Christchurch Art Gallery Senior Curator)
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| 'Mask II' (2002) Ron Mueck |
Questions from the Cadi Blog:
I. Mueck's sculpture is described as 'hyper-real'. Define the meaning of this term and explain how it is evident in
his work.
"Hyper-reality" is a new type of art that attempts to 'reproduce' or capture things as they are in reality. It can also be used to describe artworks that are extremely realistic. Mueck's sculptures definitely belongs to this category. Apart from the sizes of the sculptures, Mueck's works are very life-like. Up close we can see lines, hair, blemishes, and very minute details that makes us believe that the sculptures are very real.
II.
Mueck says he is not interested in making life size sculpture. Find out
why he is more interested in working
with the scale of the figure which
is not life size, and mention 2 works which use scale that is either
larger or
smaller than life.
According to Mueck:
"I never made life-size figures because it never seemed to be interesting.
We meet life-size people every day.'"
One example that is smaller than life:
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| 'Two Women' (2005) Ron Mueck |
An example that is larger than life:
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| 'Untitled (Head of a Baby)' (2003) |
III. Define Renaissance Humanism ,
and identify which aspects of Humanism can be seen in Mueck's work.
Note that the contemporary definition of Humanism is much broader than
the Renaissance definition.
Renaissance Humanism is an era during the 15th and 17th Century where people started to have a more secular view of life. People during the era became more independent from the Church and have little rights of their own. They started to appreciate their worldly pleasures and self expressions.
An aspect of Humanism that we can see in Mueck's sculptures are how people are the central focus. Mueck's works are about depicting the perfection and demonstration of reality. There are no science, political or religious views in Mueck's works. What you see is what you get; Its all about capturing humans and their emotions.
IV.
Research and discuss one of Mueck's sculptures that you might find
challenging or exciting to experience in
an art gallery. Describe the
work, upload an image of the work, and explain your personal response to
the
work.
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| 'Mother and Child' (2003) Ron Mueck |
Mueck's 'Mother and Child' is a sculpture that I think will be very exciting and challenging to experience and see. Its not only beautiful but ugly and gore at the same time. The sculpture shows how all life exist because of mothers but also the lovely bond between a mother and child, evident by the umbilical cord that connects between them. The reality of birth is also depicted in the tired and weary face of the mother with her slimy child resting on her stomach. Even though the sculpture is too realistic and naked to be sacred, looking at 'Mother and Child' reminds me of Leonardo Da Vinci's painting, 'Madonna and Child'. Madonna is much more divine since she is a saint however Mueck's 'Mother and Child' shows that all mothers are just as special too.
Ron Mueck's Art Exhibition at Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
Reference:
