Juan Munoz

One of the leading artists of his generation, the Spanish sculptor Juan Muntilde;oz (1953-2001) was known for his diverse and highly original body of work centering on the narrative possibilities of figures in environments. Juan Muntilde;oz illustrates in full color approximately sixty worksincluding sculptures, drawings, and several major installationswhich will be included in a major exhibition presented by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Art Institute of Chicago in October 2001. Muntilde;oz's early work focused on architectural objects that implied a transitory human presence. Then, defying the trend among progressive artists, he began to introduce figures into his work. Casting his figures in papier-macirc;cheacute;, resin, and eventually bronze, Muntilde;oz limited their size and descriptive details to heighten their psychological impact. In the 1990s, Muntilde;oz created his signature "conversation pieces," large ensembles of figures installed in indoor or outdoor settings. Calling upon a wide range of sources in literature, music, film, as well as painting and sculpture, Muntilde;oz's work explores the nature of psychological interaction and engages the viewer on a variety of perceptual levels. Juan Muntilde;oz includes essays by Neal Benezra, art critic Michael Brenson, and Olga Viso, as well as an interview with the artist by Paul Shimmel. Also featuring highlights from a 2001 installation commissioned by London's Tate Modern, Juan Muntilde;oz is the most comprehensive overview of this challenging and exciting artist's work.