Vik Muniz

Vik Muniz (1961, São Paulo, Brazil).
Lives and works in New York, NY, USA.

Vik Muniz is internationally renowned for his creative works that challenge traditional art forms and question the nature of representation and perception.

Muniz began his artistic career as a sculptor and later shifted his focus to graphic arts and photography. Inspired by postmodernist approaches of artists like Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons, he employs popular images in his works, presenting them in a fresh and novel manner which exemplifies a fundamental idea of contemporary art — the significance of the concept over the mere uniqueness of visual context.

In his artistic practice, Muniz frequently employs everyday materials and objects such as sugar, chocolate syrup, wire, and discarded items to create large-scale reproductions of the artworks by world-famous artists. These temporary replicas are then captured through a series of high-resolution photographs, allowing Muniz to rediscover and reinterpret masterpieces by Van Gogh, Picasso, Malevich, Klimt, Mondrian, and Matisse.

Through his art, Muniz not only introduces audiences to the concept of appropriation in photography but also emphasizes the importance of employing innovative techniques in artistic creation. His work prompts contemplation on the primacy of ideas and the diverse forms of expression. Muniz himself describes his role as that of an “observer of the skirmish between structuralist and poststructuralist criticism.”

Beyond his artistic exploration, Muniz is committed to the belief that art can be a catalyst for positive change in the world and should not remain exclusive to elitist circles. His work often serves as commentary on global social and environmental issues, frequently accompanied by documentary reports that shed light on social inequality, poverty, and the lack of support for vulnerable groups within society (‘Waste Land’, 2010; ‘This is not a Ball’, 2014).

In his quest to make art more accessible, Muniz employs unexpected techniques and employs visual puns in his works. By presenting complex images with apparent ease, he engages viewers of all backgrounds, from seasoned museum enthusiasts to younger audiences. Through his art, he serves as a conduit to a new world of art and technology, seamlessly connecting contemporary achievements with the rich legacy of early master artists and the broader history of art.

Vik Muniz

  • Vik Muniz - Boy with a pipe, after Picasso (Pictures of Pigment)

    Boy with a pipe, after Picasso (Pictures of Pigment)
    2006
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    223.5 x 180.3 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 111

  • Vik Muniz - Mill in sunlight, after Piet Mondrian

    Mill in sunlight, after Piet Mondrian
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    246.4 x 180.3 cm

    Exhibitions
    “Vik Muniz” One man show. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June 8 - Sep 8 2018

  • Vik Muniz - Olive trees with yellow Sky and Sun, after Van Gogh

    Olive trees with yellow Sky and Sun, after Van Gogh
    2005
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    180.4 x 228.6 cm

  • Vik Muniz - Still life with a Bouquet of Fruits, after Caravaggio

    Still life with a Bouquet of Fruits, after Caravaggio
    2006
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    183 x 231.14 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 100

  • Vik Muniz - Study of clouds at Hampstead, after John Constable. (Pictures of magazines).

    Study of clouds at Hampstead, after John Constable. (Pictures of magazines).
    2005
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    183 x 221 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography: Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

  • Vik Muniz - Bouquet, after Henri Matisse

    Bouquet, after Henri Matisse
    2005
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    254 x 183 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography: Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 98

  • Vik Muniz - Hercules and Omphale, after Francois Lemoyne. (Pictures of junk).

    Hercules and Omphale, after Francois Lemoyne. (Pictures of junk).
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    228.6 x 183 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 141

  • Vik Muniz - Medea about to kill her children, after Eugene Delacroix (Pictures of junk)

    Medea about to kill her children, after Eugene Delacroix (Pictures of junk)
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    241.3 x 180.3 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 140

  • Vik Muniz - Minotaur, after George Frederick Watts. «Pictures of junk».

    Minotaur, after George Frederick Watts. «Pictures of junk».
    2006
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    218.4 x 180.3 cm

  • Vik Muniz - Vulcan forges Cupid's arrows, after Alessandro Tiariani. (Pictures of junk).

    Vulcan forges Cupid's arrows, after Alessandro Tiariani. (Pictures of junk).
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    231.4 x 180.3 cm

  • Vik Muniz - Atlas, after Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. (Pictures of junk).

    Atlas, after Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. (Pictures of junk).
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    228.6 x 182.88 cm

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007

  • Vik Muniz - Atalanta and Hippomenes, after Guido Reni – Diptych (Pictures of Junk)

    Atalanta and Hippomenes, after Guido Reni – Diptych (Pictures of Junk)
    2006
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Diptych 236.2 x 180.3 cm - each part

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography: Nov - Dec 2007
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow: Oct 2007 - Feb 2008

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. pp. 144 - 145

  • Vik Muniz - Demon, after Vrubel (Pictures of Pigment)

    Demon, after Vrubel (Pictures of Pigment)
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 122 x 216 cm
    Large size: 167.6 x 302.3 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. pp. 162-163

  • Vik Muniz - The Apotheosis of war, after Vereshchagin (Pictures of Pigment)

    The Apotheosis of war, after Vereshchagin (Pictures of Pigment)
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 122 x 188 cm
    Large size: 180 x 282 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. pp. 158 - 159

  • Vik Muniz - Suprematist composition: eight red rectangles, after Kazimir Malevich

    Suprematist composition: eight red rectangles, after Kazimir Malevich
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 142.2 x 122 cm
    Large size: 213.4 x 180 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 173

  • Vik Muniz - Pro Eto, after Rodchenko

    Pro Eto, after Rodchenko
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 185.4 x 122 cm
    Large size: 274.3 x 180 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

    Exhibitions
    Dada Fest. NCCA. June 2016
    Summa Summarum. NCCA. Jan - Feb 2010 (Small size)
    Vik Muniz. Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 169

  • Vik Muniz - Lengiz!, after Rodchenko

    Lengiz!, after Rodchenko
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 122 x 172.7 cm
    Large size: 180 x 256.5 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. pp. 166 - 167