Virgil Marti

Initially exhibited as part of a 30-foot-long wall relief, this work is made from reinforced gypsum plaster (Forton MG) cast from human bones. Inspired by the highly embellished crypt and bone chapels of the Capuchin monks in Rome (dating from the 1600s to 1800s), Marti’s sculptural relief is also reminiscent of French Rococo plasterwork, and floral motifs from Asian art. The imagery reflects what the artist calls the “decorative grotesque,” featuring both natural and artificial elements and fusing animal and plant themes into the visual design of the artwork. Virgil Marti is known for installations that blur the boundaries between the fine arts and decorative arts, including wallpaper, furniture, chandeliers, and sculptural objects.