Mark Prent
Encyclopedia
Mark Prent is a native Canadian sculptor and performance artist currently living in the US best known for the graphic realism of his figurative
sculpture. Prent's sculptures have been described as disturbing and even brutal. His work was the subject of 1972 lawsuit in which a gallery, exhibiting one of his works consisting of a butcher’s counter of
human body parts, was charged with “exhibiting a disgusting object”. Prent was the subject of the 1976 documentary "If Brains Were Dynamite"
and fiberglass
casts of human models in sometimes disturbing poses and juxpositions. Mark Prent has consistently maintained throughout the years, that his sculptures and installations do not carry intentional messages. Despite the powerfully grotesque imagery that he has employed, interpretation is left to the viewer. Prent developed his own unique technique of layering to give a heightened realism to his figures; thus giving rise to the label "Extended Realism". When he later became concerned about the toxicity of polyester resin, he began to experiment with other materials, developing innovative techniques for recreating that trademark quality of virulent realism. This venture into new materials led him in many new directions in his own work and ultimately, to become a technical resource for other artists as well.
, Poland
in 1947, Prent came with his family to Canada in infancy, and grew-up in Montreal
. He was educated at Sir George Williams University in Montreal, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1983 he relocated with his wife to Vermont
(U.S.A.). Since his public career began in 1970, Mark Prent has had thirty-one solo exhibitions, including the Stedelijk Museum
in Amsterdam
, the Akademie der Kunste
in Berlin and the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
, as well as participating in an extensive list of group exhibitions. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including many Canada Council Senior Arts Grants, the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship
, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation Fellowship, and Art Matters.
. In 1972 his work gained notirieety when he had an a solo exhibitions at the Isaacs Gallery on Yonge St. in Toronto
. Responding to a complaint lodged by a public morality organization, the Toronto police attempted to close the exhibition which included a delicatessan, dinner table, and butcher room featuring human body parts as foodstuffs. A large group of artists, critics and gallery owners came together to fund the successful legal battle in defense of the Isaacs Gallery. This confrontation was repeated in 1974 when Mark Prent's second solo exhibition at the Isaacs Gallery featured controversial room environments including an interactive prison electrocution scene, a voyeuristic glimpse into a handicapped toilet, and an enigmatic operation in progress on a figure with the head of pig and the body of a woman. The galleries right to exhibit these works was again successfully defended in court.
, secured Prent an invitation to live and work in Berlin, Germany via the German Academic Exchange Service
. Prent and his wife Sue spent nearly two years living and working in Berlin, a period of prolific work for the artist which produced a series of figurative installation sculptures of depicting mythic ordeals, superhuman athletes, and the merciless warriors. Upon his return to Canada in 1976, Prent embarked on a new series of smaller, more personal sculptures as well as working on his large installation works.
(U.S.A.). In 1992 he and his wife began a life-molding and casting business in Vermont called "Pink House Studios Inc.", producing a series of technical/educational videos on life-molding and casting topics, and developing a line of unique products which are sold to mold-makers around the world.
Figurative art
Figurative art, sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork—particularly paintings and sculptures—which are clearly derived from real object sources, and are therefore by definition representational.-Definition:...
sculpture. Prent's sculptures have been described as disturbing and even brutal. His work was the subject of 1972 lawsuit in which a gallery, exhibiting one of his works consisting of a butcher’s counter of
human body parts, was charged with “exhibiting a disgusting object”. Prent was the subject of the 1976 documentary "If Brains Were Dynamite"
Artists Style
Mark Prent works consist of life-moulded mixed media, polyester resinPolyester resin
Polyester resins are unsaturated resins formed by the reaction of dibasic organic acids and polyhydric alcohols. Polyester resins are used in sheet moulding compound, bulk moulding compound and the toner of laser printers...
and fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
casts of human models in sometimes disturbing poses and juxpositions. Mark Prent has consistently maintained throughout the years, that his sculptures and installations do not carry intentional messages. Despite the powerfully grotesque imagery that he has employed, interpretation is left to the viewer. Prent developed his own unique technique of layering to give a heightened realism to his figures; thus giving rise to the label "Extended Realism". When he later became concerned about the toxicity of polyester resin, he began to experiment with other materials, developing innovative techniques for recreating that trademark quality of virulent realism. This venture into new materials led him in many new directions in his own work and ultimately, to become a technical resource for other artists as well.
Biography
Born in LodzLódz
Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland. Located in the central part of the country, it had a population of 742,387 in December 2009. It is the capital of Łódź Voivodeship, and is approximately south-west of Warsaw...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in 1947, Prent came with his family to Canada in infancy, and grew-up in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. He was educated at Sir George Williams University in Montreal, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In 1983 he relocated with his wife to Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
(U.S.A.). Since his public career began in 1970, Mark Prent has had thirty-one solo exhibitions, including the Stedelijk Museum
Stedelijk Museum
Founded in 1874, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is a museum for classic modern and contemporary art in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It has been housed on the Paulus Potterstraat, next to Museum Square Museumplein and to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, in Amsterdam Zuid...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, the Akademie der Kunste
Akademie der Künste
The Akademie der Künste, Berlin is an arts institution in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1696 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg as the Prussian Academy of Arts, an academic institution where members could meet and discuss and share ideas...
in Berlin and the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal is a contemporary art museum in the Place des Arts complex, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The collection includes over 7,000 works of art by more than 1,500 artists , covering contemporary art in Quebec in particular and Canada in general, as well as...
, as well as participating in an extensive list of group exhibitions. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including many Canada Council Senior Arts Grants, the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation Fellowship, and Art Matters.
Early controversial work
In that same year he graduated, Prent exhibited two uniquely disturbing entries in "Survey '70", an exhibit of Canadian avant garde artists organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsMontreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a major museum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1860, making it Canada's oldest art institution, it moved to its current location in 1912 thanks to a large donation from businessman James Ross....
. In 1972 his work gained notirieety when he had an a solo exhibitions at the Isaacs Gallery on Yonge St. in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Responding to a complaint lodged by a public morality organization, the Toronto police attempted to close the exhibition which included a delicatessan, dinner table, and butcher room featuring human body parts as foodstuffs. A large group of artists, critics and gallery owners came together to fund the successful legal battle in defense of the Isaacs Gallery. This confrontation was repeated in 1974 when Mark Prent's second solo exhibition at the Isaacs Gallery featured controversial room environments including an interactive prison electrocution scene, a voyeuristic glimpse into a handicapped toilet, and an enigmatic operation in progress on a figure with the head of pig and the body of a woman. The galleries right to exhibit these works was again successfully defended in court.
Berlin
In 1974, Mark Prent's friend, installation artist Edward KienholzEdward Kienholz
Edward Kienholz was an American installation artist whose work was highly critical of aspects of modern life. From 1972 onwards, he assembled much of his artwork in close collaboration with his artistic partner and wife, Nancy Reddin Kienholz...
, secured Prent an invitation to live and work in Berlin, Germany via the German Academic Exchange Service
German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD is the largest German support organisation in the field of international academic co-operation....
. Prent and his wife Sue spent nearly two years living and working in Berlin, a period of prolific work for the artist which produced a series of figurative installation sculptures of depicting mythic ordeals, superhuman athletes, and the merciless warriors. Upon his return to Canada in 1976, Prent embarked on a new series of smaller, more personal sculptures as well as working on his large installation works.
In the U.S.
By 1983 Prent moved to a larger studio space in VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
(U.S.A.). In 1992 he and his wife began a life-molding and casting business in Vermont called "Pink House Studios Inc.", producing a series of technical/educational videos on life-molding and casting topics, and developing a line of unique products which are sold to mold-makers around the world.