Head (Banana)

Head is a painted bronze and concrete sculpture by the Italian-American artist Tony Matelli (Chicago, United States, 1971). His hyper-realistic work encompasses human figures, animals, plants, and everyday objects, often presented in disturbing or unexpected situations. Sculpted grasses emerge from impeccable gallery skirtings; nude figures are suspended upside down; classical sculptures are adorned with colourful fruits or cuts of meat. A master of the unexpected, Matelli mixes painting and sculpture in a hyper-realistic practice that combines acid observation, cultural reflections, and sheer wit.