Joana Vasconcelos: Maximal

by Achim Sommer, P. Blümel, J. Vasconcelos, F. Voßkamp, J. Wilhelm

The Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos (*1971) is famous internation-ally for her three- dimensional works, in which she explores the boundaries between tradi tion and modernism, high and everyday culture, craftsmanship and industrial production in a work rich in allusions. Objects and installations from the last 20 years provide an insight into her fascinating œuvre.In her mostly monumental works Joana Vasconcelos links different materials, fabrics and items in daily use to create an unconventional form of surreal object art. Her works treat questions of cultural identity and gender dimensions and show points of contact to artistic strategies which also inspired Max Ernst and the Surrealists. The publication to accompany the artist's first museum exhibition in Germany presents early and current works in combination with installation views and provides an in-depth insight into the unusual working methods adopted by Joana Vasconcelos.