Vik Muniz

Vik Muniz is a photographer and artist from Brazil. He was originally a sculptor, but grew increasingly interested in the artistic photographs that were being taken of his work. Vik Muniz now focuses his artistic talents completely on photography, and uses a number of unconventional items such as diamonds, garbage and chocolate syrup to create images that depict certain events in history and pop culture. Vik Muniz got his start in art in a rather unique way. He was working in advertising as a teenager, and on his way back from a formal gala, he tried to break up a street fight. One of the the men accidentally shot him in the leg, and paid Muniz not to press charges against him. Vik Muniz then moved to New York, where he worked in an art studio his friend lent him and began sculpting. Vik Muniz is very popular with art enthusiasts, and his Rio de Janeiro's MAM was second in attendance only to Picasso's exhibits. Vik Muniz was also part of the documentary Wasteland, where the artwork he'd created in the garbage dumps outside of Rio de Janeiro was featured. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award. (Artist website)