Big sweater

The Austrian artist Erwin Wurm (b. 1954) is often called an exponent of Pop Art, a Surrealist, and a conceptual prankster. His sculptures, which feature inflated, flattened, or otherwise distorted, ordinary objects, such as clothes, cars and houses, may initially appear absurd and humorous. However, Wurm’s intentions are serious: he aims to challenge conventional perspectives on everyday life by presenting familiar objects in unconventional ways. ‘I’m interested in the shell, the wrapping of forms and bodies,’ explains the artist. He offers unique interpretations of traditional sculptural concepts. Renowned for his One Minute Sculptures, he has produced several works centred around oversize sweaters. Reminiscent of the travels of Gulliver, these garments appear out of place in everyday contexts. Designed for non-existent bodies, they retain human proportions. They evoke a sense of realism and familiarity, while simultaneously appearing grotesque. Wurm’s work has been shown in Lithuania on multiple occasions, including exhibitions at the Vartai Gallery in 2014 and 2015. His Narrow House was shown at the Contemporary Art Centre in 2015.

Text author Jurgita Ludavičienė

 

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album THE ART OF MATERIALS. Compiler and text author Jurgita Ludavičienė
© VŠĮ „Lietuvos dailės fondas“

The Austrian artist Erwin Wurm (b. 1954) is often called an exponent of Pop Art, a Surrealist, and a conceptual prankster. His sculptures, which feature inflated, flattened, or otherwise distorted, ordinary objects, such as clothes, cars and houses, may initially appear absurd and humorous. However, Wurm’s intentions are serious: he aims to challenge conventional perspectives on everyday life by presenting familiar objects in unconventional ways. ‘I’m interested in the shell, the wrapping of forms and bodies,’ explains the artist. He offers unique interpretations of traditional sculptural concepts. Renowned for his One Minute Sculptures, he has produced several works centred around oversize sweaters. Reminiscent of the travels of Gulliver, these garments appear out of place in everyday contexts. Designed for non-existent bodies, they retain human proportions. They evoke a sense of realism and familiarity, while simultaneously appearing grotesque. Wurm’s work has been shown in Lithuania on multiple occasions, including exhibitions at the Vartai Gallery in 2014 and 2015. His Narrow House was shown at the Contemporary Art Centre in 2015.

Text author Jurgita Ludavičienė

 

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album THE ART OF MATERIALS. Compiler and text author Jurgita Ludavičienė
© VŠĮ „Lietuvos dailės fondas“