Vik Muniz (b. 1961, São Paulo, Brazil) is one of the most influential contemporary artists, known for his innovative approach to photography and his exploration of materiality, perception, and representation. Based in New York and Rio de Janeiro, Muniz creates visually striking works that challenge the boundaries between reality and illusion.
Originally trained as a sculptor, Muniz turned to photography as a way to document his ephemeral creations made from unconventional materials such as sugar, chocolate, diamonds, dirt, and even garbage. By transforming everyday objects into meticulously crafted images, he reinterprets iconic artworks and cultural references, encouraging viewers to reconsider their perceptions.
His Pictures of Garbage series (2008), created in collaboration with waste pickers from Jardim Gramacho, one of the world’s largest landfills, gained international recognition and was the subject of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Waste Land (2010). This project not only underscored the social and environmental concerns embedded in his work but also reinforced his commitment to art as a tool for social transformation.
Muniz’s work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Tate Modern (London), the Centre Pompidou (Paris), and the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo. His pieces are part of prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Throughout his career, Muniz has continuously pushed artistic boundaries, redefining the relationship between materials, images, and memory. His ability to engage with both high and popular culture makes his work uniquely accessible and intellectually profound.
With a practice that bridges art, photography, and social engagement, Vik Muniz remains a vital figure in contemporary art, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary and inviting audiences to see the world through a new lens.