About the Artist
Maurizio Cattelan
Maurizio Cattelan (b. 1960, Padua, Italy) is one of the most provocative and influential contemporary artists of his generation. Known for his sharp wit, irreverence, and conceptual daring, Cattelan has built an international reputation for works that challenge authority, question cultural norms, and blur the boundaries between art and life.
Largely self-taught, Cattelan emerged in the late 1980s with a practice rooted in satire and institutional critique. His work often employs hyperrealistic sculpture, installation, and unexpected gestures to confront themes of power, mortality, religion, and identity. With a distinctly subversive humor, he transforms familiar imagery into unsettling yet compelling statements.
Cattelan’s works have been exhibited at leading institutions worldwide, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Centre Pompidou, and he has been a prominent presence at the Venice Biennale. His 2011 Guggenheim retrospective, famously installed as a single suspended installation, marked a defining moment in his career.
Among his most recognized works are La Nona Ora (The Ninth Hour), Him, and Comedian, each exemplifying his ability to provoke dialogue and captivate audiences across both the art world and popular culture.
Today, Cattelan’s work is held in major public and private collections worldwide and remains highly sought after by collectors for its originality, cultural relevance, and enduring impact.
