Ron Mueck's Hyperrealistic Sculptures Must Be Seen To Be Believed

Born in Melbourne in 1958 to German toymakers, Ron Mueck began his career as a model maker and puppeteer for children’s television shows and films including Shirl’s Neighbourhood, Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. In 1996, a collaboration with his mother-in-law led him to create Dead Dad –a silicone and mixed media depiction of the corpse of his father shrunk to approximately two-thirds of its natural scale. This piece set the standard for every sculpture to come – all of which distort size and present a hyperrealistic analysis of the human body. Now based in the United Kingdom, Ron Mueck continues to create and exhibit confronting sculptures that depict the human form in enormous detail, illustrating the rawness of the human lifecycle. While some artists present a world of escapism, Ron Mueck doesn’t shy away from rendering brutally truthful representations of everyday people.
Boy, 1999, is a five-metre-high sculpture of a crouching boy which has become the centrepiece of the art museum ARoS in Denmark.

Big Man, 2000, portrays a nearly seven-foot-high naked and hairless sitting man. Designed to sit in the corner of a room, the sculpture appears pugnacious.

Mask II, 2001-2, is the head of a sleeping man, Mueck’s own, lying on its side.

Man in a Boat, 2002, depicts a one-third-scale naked man seated in a four-metre boat.

Two Women, 2005, portrays a pair of elderly women huddling together, protecting themselves from the cold, with faces painted with suspicion, disdain and vulnerability. This piece is owned by the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

In Bed, 2005, is a sculpture of a huge woman lying in bed with a sheet over her body. Her hand rests on her face, in a contemplative mood.

Wild Man, 2005, is a nine-foot sculpture of a naked and heavily bearded man who appears fearful.

A Girl, 2006, shows a newborn baby girl the size of a car splattered with blood and with an attached umbilical cord.

Standing Woman, 2007, is a four-metre-high woman dressed in black who seems to observe onlookers below.

Drift, 2009, is a two-thirds-scale sculpture of a man floating on his back on an inflatable pool lounge. The sculpture, which is placed on a blue wall, provides viewers with the illusion of seeing this man from high above.

Young Couple, 2013, is a small representation of a teenage couple, dressed in casual clothing. The boy is tenderly but cautiously holding the girl.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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