ron mueckfondation cartier pour l’art contemporain, parisapril 16th to september 29th, 2013

the first major exhibition in europe since 2005 of ron mueck opened today at the fondation cartier pour l’art contemporain, paris, unveiling new work by the acclaimed london-based artist. to complement six important recent sculptures, the show also includes three pieces produced especially for the event – two teenagers in the street, a mother and baby and an elderly couple on the beach.

the opus highlights mueck’s distinctive rendition of realism and powerful use of scale, proportion and placement. his meticulously detailed human figures draw from the world’s of pop art and hyperrealism, each sensitively capturing the relationship between two entities. in addition to the artworks, a new film recording their creation has been made for the occasion by french photographer gautier deblonde, revealing the reclusive artist at work. the documentation further emphasizes the delicacy of mueck’s skill and pulls into focus his ability to resonate with the collective human condition through figurative sculpture.

still life: ron mueck at work / video courtesy of fondation cartier main image: image © ron mueck / photo © gautier deblonde

to complement six important recent sculptures, the show also includes three pieces produced especially for the eventimage © ron mueckphoto © gautier deblonde

the opus highlights mueck’s distinctive rendition of realism and powerful use of scale, proportion and placementimage © ron mueckphoto © gautier deblonde

his meticulously detailed human figures draw from the world’s of pop art and hyperrealismimage © ron mueckphoto © gautier deblonde

‘mask II’, 2001mixed mediaimage © ron mueckphoto courtesy of anthony d’offay, londonexhibition ron mueck, fondation cartier pour l’art contemporain, paris, april 16 › sept. 29, 2013

‘mask II’, 2001–2002 mixed media 30 3/8 x 46 1/2 x 33 1/2 in. (77.2 x 118.1 x 85.1 cm)photo © thomas salva / lumento

‘woman with sticks’, 2009mixed mediaoverall: 73 5/8 x 90 1/2 x 33 7/8 in. (187 x 230 x 86 cm) figure: 33 1/2 in. (85 cm) plinth: 29 7/8 x 56 1/4 x 45 1/4 in. (76 x 143 x 115 cm)photo © thomas salva / lumento

installing ‘woman with sticks’ at the fondation cartierphoto © thomas salva / lumento

ron mueck at the fondation cartier setting-up his first major exhibition in europ since 2005photo © thomas salva / lumento

ron mueck makes last minute finishing touches to one the new works for his solo show which depicts a mother and childphoto © thomas salva / lumento

installing the ron mueck exhibition at the fondation cartier in parisphoto © thomas salva / lumento