One of his best known sculptures, ‘La Nona Ora' consists of an effigy of Pope John Paul II in full ceremonial dress being crushed by a meteor and is a good example of his typically humorous approach to work.
One of his best known sculptures, ‘La Nona Ora' consists of an effigy of Pope John Paul II in full ceremonial dress being crushed by a meteor and is a good example of his typically humorous approach to work.
Cattelan's art makes fun of various systems of order - be it social niceties or his regular digs at the art world - and he often utilises themes and motifs from art of the past and other cultural sectors in order to get his point across
Cattelan's art makes fun of various systems of order - be it social niceties or his regular digs at the art world - and he often utilises themes and motifs from art of the past and other cultural sectors in order to get his point across
One piece called Novecento (1997) involving a horse named Tiramisu, once a racehorse, alludes to a sense of hopelessness and resignation. In 2004, the work titled The Ballad of Trotsky was sold to Bernard Arnault in New York for $2.1 million (£1.15 million)
One piece called Novecento (1997) involving a horse named Tiramisu, once a racehorse, alludes to a sense of hopelessness and resignation. In 2004, the work titled The Ballad of Trotsky was sold to Bernard Arnault in New York for $2.1 million (£1.15 million)
Another popular work utilizing taxidermy and anthropomorphic features is Bidibidobidiboo (1996), a miniature depiction of a taxidermied squirrel slumped over its kitchen table, a revolver at its feet. The sort of human failure conveyed through these animals is a common theme across many of Cattelan's pieces
Another popular work utilizing taxidermy and anthropomorphic features is Bidibidobidiboo (1996), a miniature depiction of a taxidermied squirrel slumped over its kitchen table, a revolver at its feet. The sort of human failure conveyed through these animals is a common theme across many of Cattelan's pieces
Frequently morbidly fascinating, Cattelan's dark humour sets his work above the simple pleasures of well-made visual one-liners
Frequently morbidly fascinating, Cattelan's dark humour sets his work above the simple pleasures of well-made visual one-liners
L.O.V.E (2011), a 36-foot white marble sculpture middle finger sticking straight up from an otherwise fingerless hand, pointing away from Borsa Italiana in Milan.
L.O.V.E (2011), a 36-foot white marble sculpture middle finger sticking straight up from an otherwise fingerless hand, pointing away from Borsa Italiana in Milan.
HIM (2001): a sculpture resembling a schoolboy kneeling in prayer, except that the head has been replaced with the realistic likeness of Adolf Hitler. The sculpture was frequently displayed at the end of a long hallway or at the opposite end of a white room, turned away from the viewer so that they wouldn't be able to recognize the individual until they advanced close enough
HIM (2001): a sculpture resembling a schoolboy kneeling in prayer, except that the head has been replaced with the realistic likeness of Adolf Hitler. The sculpture was frequently displayed at the end of a long hallway or at the opposite end of a white room, turned away from the viewer so that they wouldn't be able to recognize the individual until they advanced close enough