Sep 8

Sep 8 Freaky, Fascinating, and Fantastic: The Strange World of Patricia Piccinini

At this year’s Armory Show, we stumbled upon an artist whose work is, well… freaky deeky. Enter Patricia Piccinini, an artist who thrives at the intersection of the natural and artificial, the human and the hybrid. Her work is both unsettling and captivating, inviting you to rethink everything you know about the boundaries between species, technology, and humanity.

One standout piece was “The Protégé” (2023)—a silicone, fiberglass, and hair sculpture presented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. The eerie lifelike detail had us second-guessing whether we were looking at an alien creature or a future evolution of humankind. It’s the kind of artwork that makes you want to stare… but maybe from a slight distance!

Details from “Orchard” (2013), “Belly” (2011) and “Vanitas” (2013) which are on display as part of “Hair Pieces” at @heidemoma until October 6th, 2024. All the works are made entirely from human hair punched into silicon - Don’t say we didnt warn you. ( view here)

Patricia Piccinini, born in Sierra Leone and based in Australia, has spent her career examining how science and technology are blurring the lines between what is “natural” and “unnatural.” Her surreal sculptures, such as hybrid animals and biomechanical creations, ask profound questions about what it means to be human in a world where we have the ability to reshape life itself. Piccinini’s work is inspired by ethical dilemmas, but don’t expect clear-cut answers. Instead, she prefers to let the viewer decide, leaving you in a state of wonder and slight unease. The ambiguity is all part of the magic.

Blurring Boundaries, Building Empathy

Her sculptures often showcase hybrid creatures that evoke both connection and discomfort—humanoid beings with fur, fleshy appendages, or even vehicle-like features. What’s especially interesting is that these creations aren’t just there to freak us out—they’re designed to make us feel empathy. Piccinini’s work reflects on the relationships between people, animals, technology, and our rapidly evolving world, urging us to rethink our ethical responsibilities toward what we create.

Piccinini’s art has been dubbed “Plastic Realism” because of its hyper-realistic use of synthetic materials. She moves seamlessly across different media, from sculpture to digital prints, and her works often reference genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancements. Whether she’s crafting mutant beings or showcasing how sleek car surfaces reflect our fantasies, Piccinini always pulls you into her dystopian-yet-beautiful world.

Get Ready for the Weird and Wonderful

Piccinini's work is more than just a visual spectacle—it's a thought-provoking journey into a future where empathy, and technology are all tangled up in strange, sometimes unsettling ways. The freaky deeky vibes of her work will leave you thinking long after you've left the gallery. Keep an eye out for Patricia Piccinini—her art makes you wonder, “What if?” in the most bizarre and beautiful way possible.

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