Old Enemy, New Victim presents a darkly comic scene of violence: a monkey lies torn apart, under attack by two predatory beasts. The hyperrealistic detail — rendered in silicone, resin, and wool — reflects Matelli’s rigorous technical training at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. At once grotesque and strangely theatrical, the composition evokes the moral ambiguity of a fable, drawing inspiration from the writings of La Fontaine. They operate as psychological mirrors: the viewer recognizes something human in their gestures, expressions, or vulnerability. This creates a tension between humor and discomfort—very much in line with Matelli’s broader practice.The monkey’s exaggerated expression and helpless posture introduce a tragicomic tension: is he the victim of senseless cruelty, or a stand-in for human folly? Beneath its visceral surface, the sculpture becomes a meditation on power, instinct, and the absurd violence embedded in both the natural and social orders.

"I'm interested in culture, not nature,'' says Matelli.