Erwin Wurm  (Bruck an der Mur, Áustria, 1954) is a contemporary artist internationally renowned for his large-scale sculptures and installations. His work questions the basic principles of sculpture, focusing on the interaction between the human body and everyday objects. Sarcasm and humor, the involvement of the viewer and the manipulation of the anthropomorphic forms, are recurring aspects in the artist’s work. Beyond its playful character, Wurm’s practice reveal a critical stance towards Western thinking and lifestyle.

In The Artist Who Swallowed the World (2006), Wurm satirizes the contemporary art world, presenting a caricature of the insatiable artist, so self-centered and eager for international exposure that he ends up consuming the world. With humor and wit, Wurm proposes a critical reflection on the role of the artist in society, as well as the systems of representation of reality that we take for granted.

This initiative is part of the Serralves Collection Touring Exhibition Programme, which aims to make the Foundation’s collection accessible to different audiences across the country.


Organisation: Fundação de Serralves — Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Porto