About Maurizio Cattelan

Maurizio Cattelan is an Italian artist who, although ostensibly ‘retired’, has most recently contributed a piece to the Guggenheim museum. His playful, roguish nature dovetails perfectly in this contemporary art scene. He is famous for not only poking fun at institutions and expectations but also providing an interesting commentary on society.

He started his designer career in 1980 when he was 20. At that time, he created wooden furniture in Forli, Italy, where he came to meet and develop relationships with designers. With his connections and drive to create more than just furniture, he made a catalog of his work which he sent to galleries around Italy. La Nona Ora, one of his famous pieces, shows Pope John Paul II being crushed by a meteor. The piece illustrates both a humorous irreverence for the Catholic Church, but also a meditation on religion as a whole. Cattelan’s idiosyncratic, eccentric style witnesses strong interest worldwide due to its blend of commentary, insight and playful humor.