French artist Bernard Pras uses found objects, all sorts of discarded materials and everyday junk, to create his large-scale, incredibly detailed works of art, some of which recreate well known images from popular culture and the fine art world.
The visual construction of his “paintings” bears a resemblance to that of artist Vik Muniz’s junkyard masterpieces and shredded magazine collages. Like Muniz, Pras focuses on classic works and the artists behind said creations. The result of his valiant efforts in compiling each of his subjects is an enormous sculptural portrait composed of random yet carefully placed loose objects.
In producing his inspired installations, Pras takes cues from Giuseppe Arcimboldo, an Italian painter from the 16th century who’s most famous for his portrait paintings featuring an amalgam of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other unorthodox components. He has even assembled a three-dimensional version of one of Arcimboldo’s paintings with actual produce. The artist also tackles the timeless works of other great painters like Dalí, Munch, and Hiroshige.
These awesomely detailed installations offer two different points of gratification. First you see the portraits themselves. Then your eyes begin to wander as you start to take in the myriad objects that have been so carefully positioned to create those portraits. It’s clearly painstaking work.
Visit My Modern Metropolis to view more of Bernard Pras’ amazing artwork.
Fantastic!
