Ultra-Realistic Sculpture
By Marc Sijan
September 19, 2008 — January 4th, 2009
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Made you look.
The startling works of Milwaukee-based artist Marc Sijan blur the line between art and life. Sijan (pronounced SAI-jehn), inspired by the variety of the human form, takes earlier ideas of artistic reality and moves beyond them. With the likenesses of ordinary people captured in exacting, unbelievable detail, the artist invites the viewer to celebrate the individual through his sculptures.
Selecting a subject, the artist takes a plaster life cast of the person as the foundation of his process. With polyester resin, he creates a synthetic reproduction that he then artistically refines with an almost microscopic sense of detail, using fine brushes and successive layers of oil paint and varnish. Sijan also carefully outfits his figures with prosthetic pieces, fake hair, eyeglasses, clothing, and other props to enhance further the “ultra-reality” he wishes to present. The result is an unsettling, humorous, and often strong emotional response that reminds us for all of our differences, we are all human.
Marc Sijan (b. 1946) has carefully studied and modeled the human form for more then twenty years. After earning his bachelor’s degree in art education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he returned to school to earn his master’s degree with intensive scientific courses in anatomy and biology. He has participated in over 50 museum exhibitions, 25 one-person shows, and is represented in museum and private collections across the United States.
Courtesy of Marc Sijan Studio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tour management provided by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services, Kansas City, Missouri.
The human form is the oldest artistic subject – it was the first subject known to man. We just keep interpreting it, over and over. — Marc Sijan
Partners in Excellence provide generous support for MOCA’s changing exhibitions.
Season Sponsors
CSX
Haskell
Teresa de B. and Arthur W. Milam
River Branch Foundation
WJCT Public Broadcasting
Presenting Sponsor
Agility Press
National Endowment for the Arts
Contributing Sponsors
AT&T: The Real Yellow Pages
Clearwire
Mrs. Donald M. Cox
The Dalton Agency
Jacqueline Holmes & Associates
MOCA Jacksonville is funded in part by the City of Jacksonville; Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; The Florida Arts Council; and through the generous support of our member.
Credits
Image 1: Hand On Shoulder, 2004
Polyester resin, 28 × 21 × 23 inches
Courtesy of Marc Sijan Studio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Image 2: The Maid, 2006
Polyester resin, 65 × 23 × 17 inches
Courtesy of Marc Sijan Studio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Image 3: Standing Man, 2004
Polyester resin, 68 × 34 × 20 inches
Courtesy of Marc Sijan Studio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Image 4: Dancer, 2005
Polyester resin, 77 × 18 × 19 inches
Courtesy of Marc Sijan Studio, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Includes sample artwork and information
Avant Garde Preview Reception
Thursday, September 18, 2008
6-7pm
(Avant Garde Members only)
Members’ Preview Reception
Thursday, September 18, 2008
7-9pm Members: Free; Member Guests: $30
(may be applied toward membership)