The Reality of Ron Mueck

One of the best decisions that I ever made in my life was to leave politics and take on the learning curve of working in the fine arts. Though it took me almost six months to eventually get my feet underneath me, I have been eternally grateful for the change and have never once looked back. It's been good for my soul to work in the arts. Though I'm not an artist myself and have never really enjoyed art history a great deal, art, in general, is a very soothing field of practice. It's almost therapeutic to walk through the Galleries and try to comprehend the existence of a five hundred year old painting. I often wonder, given the opportunity, what stories they would tell!

Of course, behind the scenes isn't always as calm and collected as the final product but, artistic chaos still somehow seems better than anything that politics ever threw my way!!

For numerous months now, my colleagues and I have been pushed outside of our comfort level in order to promote a very unique exhibit that is not only making it's Canadian debut but, has been breaking attendance records all over the world. Finally, last Thursday evening, in the presence of the NGC Foundation, Madame Chretien, regional media and hundreds of invited guests, we got to watch all of our hard work come together in the phenomenal exhibit presenting the works of Ron Mueck.

Mueck, originally from Australia but now living in Britain, is a fairly new artist (within the past ten years) who creates life like sculptures using fiberglass and silicone. The result is truly an experience that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster! He originally worked for such shows as the Muppets and Sesame Street, but eventually turned his gift into his own works of art. All of his sculptures are either miniature in size or larger than life with a sense of detail that almost makes you wonder if they are going to start up a conversation with you...they're incredible! Unfortunately, my favourite work, Angel, won't be presented but, overall, our exhibit (presented with the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain) is the largest exhibit of his works in the world (featuring 16 pieces).

Mueck is also an artist well known for his privacy. Though he almost always travels to assist in the installation of his exhibits, he seldom, if ever, agrees to give interviews regarding his work. Thursday evening however, I had the extraordinary priviledge of meeting Mr. Mueck and talking with him a bit about his craft. There is something particularly exciting about preparing for an exhibit in which the artist is still living. So often, we are showing art that is many centuries old and when the time finally comes when you can honour a living artist, the experience is so much more rewarding! With one slight exception, I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with all the artists we have worked with...and Mueck is now at the top of my list (or atleast tied with Christopher Pratt!!). A man of great humility and class, he was an absolute pleasure to speak with and was incredibly humble about the huge contribution that he has made to the artistic world. It makes working to ensure the success of his exhibit that much more fun!!

Click here to see the Mueck mini site at the National Gallery of Canada webpage.
Mueck is on view until May 6th, 2007.

photo credits:
Untitled (Big Man), 2000
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington (DC)
Two Women, 2005
Collection Glenn Fuhrman, New York