Monica Piloni

July 10, 2022
at 5:40 pm
# art, contemporary, sculpture

Brazilian contemporary artist Monica Piloni specializes in sculpture, with a particular emphasis on the human form. The figures she crafts are often unsettling, resembling amorphous entities. Since 2004, she has employed a mirror effect, a technique that introduces another dimension to the perception of the human figure.

Piloni’s initial ventures into this realm saw her apply the repetitive mirror effect to a standing female figure. She dissected a fiberglass dummy of a human form, reassembling it in unique configurations. Later, she transitioned to creating molds directly from her body, turning them into self-portraits. This shift not only offered more creative freedom — given the ever-ready anatomical model — but also led to increasingly intricate and refined sculptures. What began as a convenient self-portrait eventually took on more significance in her work.

Indeed, Piloni’s portraits emerged from the ‘most readily available and cost-effective living model’ — herself. Yet, many women began to see themselves in Monica Piloni’s sculptures. In essence, her pieces evolved into a symbolic representation of women at large. Monica soon recognized her art as a collective narrative, emphasizing art’s powerful role in driving social change.

The work of Monica Piloni challenges the restrictive molds women are often pressured into, whether these are behavioral or aesthetic standards. Such norms, perpetuated by a patriarchal society, lead to both psychological and physical distress. Moreover, she explores the interplay between technology and perceptions of the real versus the virtual body. She touches upon the cyber realm’s unique celebration of bodies that deviate from conventional aesthetic standards.

Carlos Martín Rodríguez

Carlos Martín Rodríguez produces works that resonate with intellectual richness while exuding a contemporary feel. Specializing in sculpture, installation art,

Rachel Youn

At the intersection of imagination and reality, American artist Rachel Youn crafts a world that blurs the lines between life

Matthijs Kimpe

Belgian artist Matthijs Kimpe harnesses modern imaging techniques, blending screens and prints into his artwork. His innovative choice of synthetic

Jakub Kubica

Jakub Kubica, a multidisciplinary artist originally from Žilina, Slovakia, now works and lives in Berlin. Specializing in sculpture, visual and

Jeff Elrod

The artist Jeff Elrod currently splits his time between Marfa, Texas, and New York. Back in the late ’90s, he

Anne Neukamp

The contemporary artist Anne Neukamp, born in Düsseldorf, currently lives and works in Berlin. With her works, she examines a

Marlo Pascual

The work of Marlo Pascual had earned the attention of a set of artists particularly for her photo-based work. She

Joachim Coucke

Navigating the dense digital landscape, artist Joachim Coucke delves into our relationship with technology and its profound impact on our

Willie Cole

Willie Cole, a cutting-edge sculptor, printer, and visual artist, masterfully intertwines the mundane with the strikingly profound. Everyday objects, under