Art Review: Ron Muek
Article published: Tuesday, March 2nd 2010
Manchester Art Gallery is playing host to the unnerving sculptural realism of Ron Muek, with a bite size exhibition of the Australian artist’s work. Three very differently scaled human sculptures are now on display in the Artist Rooms, all by the same artist and all boasting an incredible attention to realistic detail. They intentionally incite uneasiness in the spectator.
Wild Man (2005), a giant nude male sitting on a stool with a startled gaze, is immediately disconcerting and brings into doubt all preconceived notions of scale, begging the question, is he too big or are we too small? In contrast is Spooning Couple (2005), a miniature model of two people in bed. This piece is viewed from above, which introduces another uncomfortable sensation of voyeurism. We are watching this couple at their most intimate and vulnerable, a feeling only added to by the subject’s eerily real-looking skin.
However, once the perfect translucency of the skin has made its impression and every realistic blemish and hair follicle has been marvelled over, a different sense takes hold. The pieces soon become less impressive. The unengaging Mask III (2005) is a perfect example of this: once close scrutiny has ceased and the work is viewed as a whole from a few steps back, a severe sense of its lacklustre sets in.
More interesting than the sculptures themselves is the room adjacent to main exhibition, which charts the development of Muek’s work and ideas. Working models, sketches and facial casts are all present; while photos of the sculptures at various stages of construction adorn the walls. The meticulous process Muek undertakes to reach his degree of hyper-realism is arguably far more fascinating than the finished result.
Muek, who first came to artistic acclaim through the Royal Academy’s Sensation exhibition in 1997, with his work shown together with that of British Artists Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin, clearly shares their sense for vast scale and shock value. His work may display a more impressive degree of detail than that of these Britpop luminaries but certainly carries less of an impact.
Lula Boardman
Showing as part of the ARTIST ROOMS Tour, until April 11th.
Exhibition related events
Making conversation workshops
Wednesdays 10, 17 and 24 February, 1 – 4pm. Free, please book. 0161 235 8888 / magevents@manchester.gov.uk
Curator’s talk
Thursday 18 March, 1 – 1.45pm. Free, please book. 0161 235 8888 / magevents@manchester.gov.uk
Counter culture
A social afternoon of art, music and hyper-realism hosted by the Creative Consultants.
Saturday 20 March, 12 – 5pm. Free. No need to book. Just drop-in.
More: Culture, Exhibition
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