Ron Mueck

A Major Solo Exhibition, the First in 18 Years in Japan
Comprehensively Showcasing the Work of Artist Ron Mueck, Known for His Limited Output, with Many Pieces Making Their Japanese Debut

This is a large-scale exhibition that comprehensively presents the artist’s entire creative journey, from early works to recent pieces. Many of the works on display are being shown in Japan for the first time. Given that Mueck’s total sculptural output consists of approximately fifty works, organizing a solo exhibition with a substantial number of pieces is exceptionally challenging. This exhibition, featuring eleven works, represents a precious opportunity. It marks his first solo show in Japan since 2008 and the first time such a large number of his works will be displayed in the country.

Japanese Premiere of the Large-scale Work Mass

The centerpiece of the exhibition is Mass (2016-2017), an installation composed of 100 giant skull sculptures. The work was first unveiled at the NGV Triennial 2017 in Melbourne, Australia, and has since been exhibited in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and most recently in South Korea. Each installation is reconfigured to suit the structure and characteristics of the hosting museum’s exhibition space, and the Mori Art Museum presentation, occupying approximately 300 square meters, will likewise be site-specific.

Lifelike Sculptures that Evoke Individual Emotional Responses

Mueck creates sculptures using highly detailed techniques through meticulous observation of human subjects and deep philosophical contemplation. His sophisticated works, brimming with vitality and masterfully expressing inner human emotions and experiences such as solitude, fragility, vulnerability, anxiety, and resilience, captivate all who encounter them and invite viewers on a journey of contemplation about what it means to be human and what it means to live.

Rare Glimpse into the Creative Process

The exhibition also features a selection of photographs and two films created by French photographer Gautier Deblonde. He has documented Mueck’s creative process for over 25 years, offering visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at Mueck’s studios in London and southern England, as well as his creative process.