Big Coat

Erwin Wurm

Erwin Wurm expands contemporary notions of sculpture with humorous works that often invite viewer participation or anthropomorphize everyday objects. His eclectic practice also spans performance, photography, video, and installation. Wurm’s style and conceptual concerns are exemplified in his “One Minute Sculptures” (1996–present), pieces in which he gives written or drawn instructions to participants, ordering them to pose or perform with props such as chairs, buckets, fruit, or knit sweaters—people themselves become part of the work. Wurm’s knack for the uncanny, meanwhile, can be seen in an array of sculptures that feature detached legs protruding from handbags and stones or lodged with fruit. Wurm represented Austria at the 2017 Venice Biennale and has exhibited in cities around the world. His work has sold for six figures at auction and belongs in the collections of the Albertina, the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Tate, among others.