Tony Matelli is a renowned sculpture artist who has gained a reputation for his imperfect human figures and macabre self-portraits. His sculptures express hyperrealistic angst, reinterpreting the human condition through humor and horror. The brilliance of his work lies in the interplay between the two, as seen in his 2003 work, Total Torpor, Mad Malaise.
This grotesque parody of a classical reclining figure features a deformed, nude man overcome by boils, who curiously smiles at the viewer over the remains of his bingeing. This piece references Tracey Emin's iconic Bed (1998) with its carpet-strewn garbage and the questions this raises regarding how we view art and what it means.
Matelli has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions across Europe and North America, including the collateral event/exhibition Personal Structures at the 2011 Venice Biennale. His most wide-ranging solo exhibition, A Human Echo, was shown at ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Denmark in 2012.
Born in Wisconsin, Matelli received a BFA in sculpture from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and an MFA in sculpture from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He now lives and works in New York, where he continues to create thought-provoking sculptures that challenge societal norms and perceptions.
One of his notable works, Double Veg Head 2 (2008), made of bronze and vinyl paint, is a striking commentary on our wasteful consumer culture. The sculpture features two heads, one fresh and the other rotten, both formed from vegetables and placed together. The dimensions of the sculpture are variable, with the fresh head measuring 18x15x12 inches and the rotten head measuring 4x8x10 inches.
Matelli's work is thought-provoking, challenging, and unique, with a distinct ability to make viewers question their own perceptions of art and society. His sculptures offer a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience and a reflection of the world around us.
In conclusion, Tony Matelli's work is a true testament to the power of sculpture art in shaping our perception of the world. His hyperrealistic pieces depict the human condition through humor and horror, evoking empathy and reflection in viewers. Matelli's work emphasizes the importance of challenging societal norms and reminding us of the complexities of the world we live in.