Date of Birth: September 21, 1960
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Maurizio Cattelan is an Italian contemporary artist known for his satirical sculptures and installations that challenge traditional concepts of art. Born in Padua, Italy, Cattelan’s career started humbly as a furniture maker. He transitioned to art in the late 1980s and quickly gained recognition for his provocative and often controversial works. Notable pieces include “The Ninth Hour,” a sculpture of Pope John Paul II struck by a meteorite, and “Comedian,” a banana duct-taped to a wall, which sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami Beach. Cattelan’s work often explores themes of mortality, authority, and the absurdity of the human condition. He has been described as a “prankster,” using humor to critique societal norms and the art world itself. Despite announcing his retirement from art in 2011, he continues to be a significant influence in contemporary art.
5 Interesting Facts about Maurizio Cattelan
1. Maurizio Cattelan once hired an actor to impersonate him at a gallery opening.
2. He created a fully functional gold toilet titled “America,” which was installed at the Guggenheim Museum.
3. Cattelan co-founded the art magazine “Toilet Paper” with photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari.
4. His piece “Comedian,” a banana duct-taped to a wall, became a viral sensation and was eaten by a performance artist.
5. Cattelan’s “L.O.V.E.,” a giant marble sculpture of a hand with its middle finger raised, stands in front of the Milan Stock Exchange.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Maurizio Cattelan
1. “I always say that my work is a self-portrait of my condition.”
2. “Art is a way to express something that could change the world.”
3. “I’m an artist, not a comedian. Though sometimes I think comedians do more important work.”
4. “The only way to escape from the abyss is to look at it, measure it, sound it out and descend into it.”
5. “To tell the truth, I always thought that being an artist was a kind of failure.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Maurizio Cattelan’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Maurizio Cattelan has one child, a daughter named Marta Cattelan.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Maurizio Cattelan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurizio_Cattelan
2. [Artnet – Maurizio Cattelan](https://www.artnet.com/artists/maurizio-cattelan/
3. [The Art Story – Maurizio Cattelan](https://www.theartstory.org/artist/cattelan-maurizio/
4. [Guggenheim – Maurizio Cattelan](https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/maurizio-cattelan
5. [Interview Magazine – Maurizio Cattelan](https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/maurizio-cattelan