The image of the body in contemporary art often goes beyond simply painting a realistic portrait. The familiar lines of the human body are often deconstructed. The body gains new meanings in every piece. Some artworks depict futuristic models of what humans might look like in the future, while others try to bridge the gap between the human and the non-human. For many artists, the body is a playground for self-reflection and self-reimagination. Contemporary sculpture is especially rich with creativity, both in mediums and ideas. The Venice Biennale 2022 welcomed several artists who explored the way humanity interacts with the outside world.

Contemporary Sculpture As a Revolutionary Art Form

Sculpture is an art form that has volume, so it can resemble the human shape as closely as possible. While a piece of art does not live and breathe, it is easier to imagine oneself in place of human-like, albeit artificial, figures and even relate to them and the sentiment they are conveying. 

To See The Earth Before the End of the World by Precious Okoyomon

Contemporary sculpture is not afraid to reference political issues. For the Venice Biennale 2022, the multidisciplinary artist of Nigerian-American origin Precious Okoyomon created a mesmerizing installation, combining environmental and political motifs. A human silhouette is placed in the center of the piece, entangled in weeds and vines. The use of the kudzu vine is significant in this installation. An invasive species introduced to the US farms in the second half of the 19th century, it symbolizes the displacement and enslavement of the colonized people of Africa. Okoyomon’s use of space makes the spectator feel like they are part of the experience, standing among an overgrown field. 

Terminal Figure by Andra Ursuţa

Andra Ursuţa uses casts of her own body to create her unique sculptures. They are made from colorful nacre-like materials and inspired by space horror movies. In Ursuţa’s work, the body is an object of experimentation — just like in science fiction. Her humanoid sculptures are sensual and repulsive at the same time. They are deformed to the point of being unrecognizable but often take familiar poses and shapes.

The Jumpsuit Theme by Sara Enrico

Sara Enrico’s installation is static and dynamic at the same time. Inspired by the construction of a jumpsuit — a close-fitting garment designed for unrestricted movement — the artist creates long anthropomorphic sculptures that resemble human limbs. They look like articles of clothing that have just been taken off but still remember the shape of the body that wore them. In her work, Enrico aims to recreate the interaction between the surface and the skin.

The world of contemporary sculpture is fascinating: there is an abundance of talent that is looking for ways to express itself and strong artistic voices striving to be heard. We encourage you to continue learning more about contemporary visual art — you will definitely find something that will resonate with you.