Vik Muniz

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

Muniz began his artistic career as a sculptor, but later shifted his focus to graphic arts and photography. Inspired by the work of postmodernists Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons, Muniz uses popular images in his works and presents them in a new way, thus demonstrating one of the fundamental ideas of contemporary art: the primacy of concept over uniqueness of visual context.

Experimenting with a wide range of non-traditional materials (dry pigments, dust, sugar, chocolate, diamonds, caviar, children’s toys, garbage, scraps of magazines), Muniz reproduces the works of famous artists, creating short-lived copies of iconic pieces of art. Artist captures the results of his work in series of high-resolution photographs, rediscovering the masterpieces of Van Gogh, Picasso, Malevich, Klimt, Mondrian and Matisse.

Muniz not only acquaints the viewer with the phenomenon of appropriation in photography, but also with the idea of using new techniques in creating works of art, raising the question of the primacy of an idea and the various forms of expression. He calls himself “an observer of the skirmish between structuralist and poststructuralist criticism”.

Muniz is convinced that art should change the world for the better and should not be elitist at all. He seeks to make it more accessible. Through the implementation of unexpected techniques and thoughtful visual puns, his works capture the interest of any viewer, from connoisseurs of museum classics to a younger audience. The apparent ease of presentation of complex images turns his work into a kind of conduit to a new world of art and technology, inextricably linked to the achievements of early master artists and art history in general.

The works by Vik Muniz have been presented in collections of such museums as:
The Victoria and Albert Museum London, UK
Tate London, UK
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, USA
The Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
The Whitney Museum of American Art New York, USA
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, USA
The Art Institute of Chicago, USA
The Menil Collection Museum, Houston, USA
The Museum of Contemporary Art in São Paulo, Brazil
The Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO), Rome, Italy
The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland
The Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv, Israel
The Long Museum, Shanghai, China
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Japan

Vik Muniz

  • 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

  • Vik Muniz - Old suckers, after Rodchenko

    Old suckers, after Rodchenko
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 180 x 122 cm
    Large size: 267 x 180 cm
    Edition: 6+4AP

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

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 171

  • 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 - Conversation with the Finance Inspector about Poetry, after Rodchenko

    Conversation with the Finance Inspector about Poetry, after Rodchenko
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum  
    Small size: 165 x 122 cm
    Large size: 244 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
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 165

  • Vik Muniz - Suprematist composition: white on white, after Kazimir Malevich

    Suprematist composition: white on white, after Kazimir Malevich
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 122 x 122 cm
    Large size: 180 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. pp. 177

  • 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 - Portrait of a boy in painted shirt, after Ilya Mashkov

    Portrait of a boy in painted shirt, after Ilya Mashkov
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Small size: 160 x 122 cm
    Large size: 241 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. pp. 161

  • 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 - Flowers in blue and white vase, after Chardin. «Pictures of magazines».

    Flowers in blue and white vase, after Chardin. «Pictures of magazines».
    2011
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    228.6 x 183 cm

    Exhibition:
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography: Nov - Dec 2007

    Catalogue:
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 99

  • 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 - Apollo and the Cumaean Sibyl, after Giovanni Domenico Cerrini. (Pictures of junk).

    Apollo and the Cumaean Sibyl, after Giovanni Domenico Cerrini. (Pictures of junk).
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Diptych: 261.6 x 180.3 cm each part

    Exhibitions
    Price of Oil. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. 20 Jan - 15 Apr 2009
    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 146

  • Vik Muniz - Karl Marx

    Karl Marx
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    152.4 x 122 cm

    Exhibitions
    Persona Grata. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. 26 Feb - 21 Apr 2010
    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 134

  • Vik Muniz - Mayakowsky, after Rodchenko (Pictures of Caviar)

    Mayakowsky, after Rodchenko (Pictures of Caviar)
    2005
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Large: 180.3 x 122 cm
    Small: 114.3 x 76.2 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007
    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 135

  • 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 - Atlanta and Hippomenes, after Guido Reni – Diptych. «Pictures of junk».

    Atlanta 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 - 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 - 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 - Harmony in red, after Matisse (Pictures of Pigment)

    Harmony in red, after Matisse (Pictures of Pigment)
    2005
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    Large: 180.3 x 228.6 cm
    Small: 101.6 x 127 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. June - Oct 2018
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct ‘07 - Feb ‘08
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography. Nov - Dec 2007
    Create Your Own Museum. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Jan - Feb ‘07

    Publications
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow: 2008, page 108.
    Create your own museum. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2006. pp. 92 - 93

  • Vik Muniz - Nasturismus, after Fantin Latour. «Pictures of magazines».

    Nasturismus, after Fantin Latour. «Pictures of magazines».
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    287 x 193 cm

    Exhibitions
    We can do it! Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Jan - May 2005

    Publications
    We can do it! Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2005, page 47

  • Vik Muniz - Water lilies, after Monet. «Pictures of magazines».

    Water lilies, after Monet. «Pictures of magazines».
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    188 x 183 cm

    Exhibitions
    We can do it! Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Jan - May 2005

    Publications
    We can do it! Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2005. page 45

  • 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. (Pictures of magazines)

    Still life with a Bouquet of Fruits, after Caravaggio. (Pictures of magazines)
    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 - 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 - Bouquet, after Henri Matisse. «Pictures of magazines».

    Bouquet, after Henri Matisse. «Pictures of magazines».
    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 - 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 - 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 - Diana and Endymion, after Francesco Mola. «Pictures of junk».

    Diana and Endymion, after Francesco Mola. «Pictures of junk».
    2007
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    228.6 x 180.3 cm

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

    Publications
    Vik Muniz. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2007. page 142

  • Vik Muniz - The Education of Cupid, after Correggio. «Pictures of junk».

    The Education of Cupid, after Correggio. «Pictures of junk».
    2004
    Chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    246.38 x 180.34 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 143

  • Vik Muniz - Don Quixote in his Study, after William Lake Price

    Don Quixote in his Study, after William Lake Price
    Framed chromogenic print mounted on aluminum
    228,6 x 183 cm

    Exhibitions
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. Oct 2007 - Feb 2008
    Vik Muniz. Moscow House of Photography: Nov - Dec 2007
    We can do it!, Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow: Jan - May 2005

    Publications
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2008. page 120
    We can do it! Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, 2005. page 41 - 43

  • Still Life with Fruit and Vegetables, after Juan Sanchez Cotan

    Still Life with Fruit and Vegetables, after Juan Sanchez Cotan
    2004
    Framed chromogenic print mounted on aluminum

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

    Publications
    Vik Muniz - Russian Project. Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow. 2008. page 101