Baj, Enrico | Testa d’uomo, 1969 — available on Composition Gallery

Acrylic resin

Enrico Baj's Testa d’uomo (1969) is an acrylic resin sculpture featuring playful and abstract facial imagery. The tall, rectangular acrylic sheet serves as the head, with two colorful concentric circles in red, black, and green representing eyes, giving the sculpture an animated, whimsical appearance. A diagonal rectangular piece protrudes from the face, possibly symbolizing a nose or another abstract element, enhancing the quirky and surreal quality of the figure. The transparent nature of the acrylic allows light to pass through, adding a sense of weightlessness and fluidity to the overall form. Baj’s signature playful approach to human representation is evident, blending humor with geometric simplicity.

Enrico Baj (Italy, 1924–2003) was a visionary artist and writer associated with the Nuclear Art and CoBrA movements. Known for his satirical works, Baj used materials like fabric and found objects to critique authority and societal norms. His vibrant, surrealist-inspired pieces, including his iconic Generals series, continue to captivate with their humor and political edge.

Enrico Baj

Testa d’uomo, 1969

Name: Testa d’uomo, 1969
SKU: 11129
Price: 3900.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Acrylic sculpture

Acrylic sculptureAcrylic sculpture refers to both a process and the resulting object. The artist begins by creating a sculpture from clay, plaster, or epoxy, which is then used to make a flexible mold. Melted acrylic is poured into the mold, and once it cures, the acrylic piece is hand-finished through sanding and polishing. Acrylic sculptures are valued for their clarity, durability, and ability to achieve intricate details.

Edition

Edition of 60 + EA

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●Inventory 11129

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Limited Edition Print

Enrico Baj was an artist whose work spanned a number of fields, including printing, sculpture and painting – Baj was heavily associated with both the surrealist and dada movement; he was also involved with the CoBrA movement and worked alongside fellow progressive artists such as Yves Klein, Marcel Duchamp and the novelist, Umberto Eco. Alongside Asger Jorn, Baj founded the Movimento Nucleare – a reaction from various artists to the use of nuclear power - following the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Unlike abstract art, this movement was blatantly political; Baj had a long-standing disdain for the militarism of the time and rejected the authorities that ruled – a lot of his early work openly criticised current political affairs. Among his best-known outputs is Generals, a series of bizarre characters that have been made from various found objects including medals and belts.

Artwork by Wang Guangyi

What is activist art?

Activist Art is a form of art created to address social and political issues. It often involves public engagement and works closely with communities to raise awareness or inspire change. While it can include elements of performance art, it is not limited to this form. Examples include creating and distributing social protest posters or organizing community-based art projects that highlight specific causes.

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Enrico Baj