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Tunga

Tunga - Artists - Luhring Augustine
Tunga - Artists - Luhring Augustine

Tunga
Aurora, 2014
Iron, steel, bronze, ceramics, plaster, linen, and quartz crystals
118 1/8 x 98 3/8 x 98 3/8 inches
(300.0 x 250.0 x 250.0 cm)

Tunga (1952–2016) was one of the leading Brazilian artists of his generation. His principal media of sculpture, installation, and performance are customarily presented as an integrated body of work which establishes an associative interplay of mirroring and self-reference between the individual pieces. Through rigorously constructed structures, the symbolic and the imaginary perform a decisive role conveying new meanings to familiar objects. His oeuvre's subversive psychological force carries constructivist and surrealist influences that delineate his singular and sensual territory.

Tunga's work can be seen in the permanent collections of major museums and institutions throughout the world, such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Pérez Art Museum Miami; Tate Modern, London; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; Moderna Museet, Stockholm; Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo; Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo; and Instituto de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim, Brumadinho, which features two major permanent pavilions dedicated to the artist’s work.

Artworks Nested Slideshow

Artworks Nested Slideshow Thumbnails
Tunga Element S, 2014 Iron, steel, bronze, quartz crystal, plaster, rubber, yellow quartz crystals, and linen 102 3/8 x 74 3/4 x 74 3/4 inches (260 x 190 x 190 cm)

Tunga
Element S, 2014
Iron, steel, bronze, quartz crystal, plaster, rubber, yellow quartz crystals, and linen
102 3/8 x 74 3/4 x 74 3/4 inches
(260 x 190 x 190 cm)

Tunga A Bela e a Fera – La Belle et la Bête, 2001-2012 Copper plated cast bronze, cast iron and iron 106 1/4 x 98 3/8 x 90 1/2 inches (270 x 250 x 230 cm)

Tunga
A Bela e a Fera – La Belle et la Bête, 2001-2012
Copper plated cast bronze, cast iron and iron
106 1/4 x 98 3/8 x 90 1/2 inches
(270 x 250 x 230 cm)

Tunga À la Lumière des Deux Mondes (At the Light of Both Worlds), 2005 Iron, bronze, steel cable and epoxy resin Dimensions variable Installation view, Musée du Louvre September 29 – December 19, 2005 Courtesy of Agnut Studio, 2005

Tunga
À la Lumière des Deux Mondes (At the Light of Both Worlds), 2005
Iron, bronze, steel cable and epoxy resin
Dimensions variable
Installation view, Musée du Louvre
September 29 – December 19, 2005
Courtesy of Agnut Studio, 2005

Tunga Lezart, 1989-2012 Copper, steel, magnets 19 5/8 x 13 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches (50 x 35 x 75 cm)

Tunga
Lezart, 1989-2012
Copper, steel, magnets
19 5/8 x 13 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches
(50 x 35 x 75 cm)

Tunga Trança (Braid), 1983–1997 Lead 472 1/2 x 4 1/3 x 2 1/3 inches (1200 × 11 × 6 cm) Photo: Gabi Carrera

Tunga
Trança (Braid), 1983–1997
Lead
472 1/2 x 4 1/3 x 2 1/3 inches
(1200 × 11 × 6 cm)
Photo: Gabi Carrera

Tunga, Untitled, from the series Anjos Maquiados, c. 2012 Watercolor and make-up on cotton paper 17 x 12 inches (43.5 x 30.5 cm)

Tunga,
Untitled, from the series Anjos Maquiados, c. 2012
Watercolor and make-up on cotton paper
17 x 12 inches
(43.5 x 30.5 cm)

Tunga Untitled, 2008-2011 Iron, magnets, resin, steel, crystal, glass, chromatized water 12 9/16 x 7 13/16 x 66 7/8 inches (32 x 20 x 170 cm)

Tunga
Untitled, 2008-2011
Iron, magnets, resin, steel, crystal, glass, chromatized water
12 9/16 x 7 13/16 x 66 7/8 inches
(32 x 20 x 170 cm)

Tunga Les Bijoux de Madame de Sade, 1983-2011 Polished bronze 21 5/8 x 18 1/8 x 6 1/4 inches (55 x 46 x 16 cm)

Tunga
Les Bijoux de Madame de Sade, 1983-2011
Polished bronze
21 5/8 x 18 1/8 x 6 1/4 inches
(55 x 46 x 16 cm)

Tunga Untitled, 2013 Ink on Himalayan oiled handmade paper 30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.88 cm)

Tunga
Untitled, 2013
Ink on Himalayan oiled handmade paper
30 x 22 inches
(76.2 x 55.88 cm)

Tunga Cooking Crystals, 2006-2009 Iron, crystal rocks, magnets, steel network, brown mass, yellow liquid and glasses Dimensions variable

Tunga
Cooking Crystals, 2006-2009
Iron, crystal rocks, magnets, steel network,
brown mass, yellow liquid and glasses
Dimensions variable

Tunga Amber Guests, 2015 Performance Dimensions variable Photo: Gabi Carrrera

Tunga
Amber Guests, 2015
Performance
Dimensions variable
Photo: Gabi Carrrera

Tunga Phanografia, from the series Quase Auroras, 2005-2009  Watercolor and graphite on cotton paper 17 3/4 x 12 1/5 inches (45 x 31 cm)

Tunga
Phanografia, from the series Quase Auroras, 2005-2009 
Watercolor and graphite on cotton paper
17 3/4 x 12 1/5 inches
(45 x 31 cm)

Tunga Pin Upside Down #2, 2007 Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc 120 1/8 x 64 x 62 inches (305.0 x 162.5 x 157.5 cm)

Tunga
Pin Upside Down #2, 2007
Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc
120 1/8 x 64 x 62 inches
(305.0 x 162.5 x 157.5 cm)

Tunga Adam and Eve, from the series From “La Voie Humide”, 2014 Black and white photograph Edition of 2 and 10 artist's proofs 12 2/5 x 12 4/5 inches (31.5 x 32.5 cm)

Tunga
Adam and Eve, from the series From “La Voie Humide”, 2014
Black and white photograph
Edition of 2 and 10 artist's proofs
12 2/5 x 12 4/5 inches
(31.5 x 32.5 cm)

Tunga Light Scalp, 2007 Brass 31 1/2 x 43 1/4 x 3 7/8 inches (80 x 110 x 10 cm)

Tunga
Light Scalp, 2007
Brass
31 1/2 x 43 1/4 x 3 7/8 inches
(80 x 110 x 10 cm)

Tunga Love Me Knot, 2007 Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc 30 x 13 x 7 1/2 inches (76.2 x 33.02 x 19.05 cm)

Tunga
Love Me Knot, 2007
Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc
30 x 13 x 7 1/2 inches
(76.2 x 33.02 x 19.05 cm)

Tunga Heralds #4, 2004 Galvanized iron, aluminum, felt, and silk Dimensions variable

Tunga
Heralds #4, 2004
Galvanized iron, aluminum, felt, and silk
Dimensions variable

Tunga Triade Trindade, 2001 Iron, steel, and magnets (iron bell and cauldron) Installation view post-performance Brasiliana Installations from 1960 to the Present at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Germany 2013-2014

Tunga
Triade Trindade, 2001
Iron, steel, and magnets (iron bell and cauldron)
Installation view post-performance Brasiliana Installations from 1960 to the Present at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Germany 2013-2014

Tunga Exogenous Axis, 2000 Metal and wood 78 x 13 x 13 inches (198.12 x 33.02 x 33.02 cm)

Tunga
Exogenous Axis, 2000
Metal and wood
78 x 13 x 13 inches
(198.12 x 33.02 x 33.02 cm)

Tunga True Rouge, 1998 3 Wooden crosses, nets, blown glass and mixed media Dimensions variable Installation view in True Rouge September 12 – October 24, 1998 Luhring Augustine, New York

Tunga
True Rouge, 1998
3 Wooden crosses, nets, blown glass and mixed media
Dimensions variable
Installation view in True Rouge
September 12 – October 24, 1998
Luhring Augustine, New York

Tunga TaCaPes, 1986-1997 Iron, magnets, copper leaves, iron filings 126 x 11 inches (320 x 28 cm)

Tunga
TaCaPes, 1986-1997
Iron, magnets, copper leaves, iron filings
126 x 11 inches
(320 x 28 cm)

Tunga Xifópagas Capilares  Entre Nós (Capillary Xiphopagus Among Us), 1984 Performance view Kanaal Art Foundation, Kortrijk, Belgium 1989 Photo: Gilles Hutchinson

Tunga
Xifópagas Capilares  Entre Nós (Capillary Xiphopagus Among Us), 1984
Performance view
Kanaal Art Foundation, Kortrijk, Belgium 1989
Photo: Gilles Hutchinson

Tunga Albino, 1982 Cotton felt, cotton rope, and hardware 98 3/8 x 66 7/8 x 3 7/8 inches (250 x 170 x 10 cm)

Tunga
Albino, 1982
Cotton felt, cotton rope, and hardware
98 3/8 x 66 7/8 x 3 7/8 inches
(250 x 170 x 10 cm)

Tunga Vê-nus (Venus), 1976 Rubber, chain, and lights Dimensions variable Installation view Tunga: 1977-1997, Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, 1997

Tunga
Vê-nus (Venus), 1976
Rubber, chain, and lights
Dimensions variable
Installation view Tunga: 1977-1997, Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, 1997

Tunga Element S, 2014 Iron, steel, bronze, quartz crystal, plaster, rubber, yellow quartz crystals, and linen 102 3/8 x 74 3/4 x 74 3/4 inches (260 x 190 x 190 cm)
Tunga A Bela e a Fera – La Belle et la Bête, 2001-2012 Copper plated cast bronze, cast iron and iron 106 1/4 x 98 3/8 x 90 1/2 inches (270 x 250 x 230 cm)
Tunga À la Lumière des Deux Mondes (At the Light of Both Worlds), 2005 Iron, bronze, steel cable and epoxy resin Dimensions variable Installation view, Musée du Louvre September 29 – December 19, 2005 Courtesy of Agnut Studio, 2005
Tunga Lezart, 1989-2012 Copper, steel, magnets 19 5/8 x 13 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches (50 x 35 x 75 cm)
Tunga Trança (Braid), 1983–1997 Lead 472 1/2 x 4 1/3 x 2 1/3 inches (1200 × 11 × 6 cm) Photo: Gabi Carrera
Tunga, Untitled, from the series Anjos Maquiados, c. 2012 Watercolor and make-up on cotton paper 17 x 12 inches (43.5 x 30.5 cm)
Tunga Untitled, 2008-2011 Iron, magnets, resin, steel, crystal, glass, chromatized water 12 9/16 x 7 13/16 x 66 7/8 inches (32 x 20 x 170 cm)
Tunga Les Bijoux de Madame de Sade, 1983-2011 Polished bronze 21 5/8 x 18 1/8 x 6 1/4 inches (55 x 46 x 16 cm)
Tunga Untitled, 2013 Ink on Himalayan oiled handmade paper 30 x 22 inches (76.2 x 55.88 cm)
Tunga Cooking Crystals, 2006-2009 Iron, crystal rocks, magnets, steel network, brown mass, yellow liquid and glasses Dimensions variable
Tunga Amber Guests, 2015 Performance Dimensions variable Photo: Gabi Carrrera
Tunga Phanografia, from the series Quase Auroras, 2005-2009  Watercolor and graphite on cotton paper 17 3/4 x 12 1/5 inches (45 x 31 cm)
Tunga Pin Upside Down #2, 2007 Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc 120 1/8 x 64 x 62 inches (305.0 x 162.5 x 157.5 cm)
Tunga Adam and Eve, from the series From “La Voie Humide”, 2014 Black and white photograph Edition of 2 and 10 artist's proofs 12 2/5 x 12 4/5 inches (31.5 x 32.5 cm)
Tunga Light Scalp, 2007 Brass 31 1/2 x 43 1/4 x 3 7/8 inches (80 x 110 x 10 cm)
Tunga Love Me Knot, 2007 Brass, cast aluminum, braided iron wires covered with nylon, epoxy resin, iron canvas galvanized with zinc 30 x 13 x 7 1/2 inches (76.2 x 33.02 x 19.05 cm)
Tunga Heralds #4, 2004 Galvanized iron, aluminum, felt, and silk Dimensions variable
Tunga Triade Trindade, 2001 Iron, steel, and magnets (iron bell and cauldron) Installation view post-performance Brasiliana Installations from 1960 to the Present at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Germany 2013-2014
Tunga Exogenous Axis, 2000 Metal and wood 78 x 13 x 13 inches (198.12 x 33.02 x 33.02 cm)
Tunga True Rouge, 1998 3 Wooden crosses, nets, blown glass and mixed media Dimensions variable Installation view in True Rouge September 12 – October 24, 1998 Luhring Augustine, New York
Tunga TaCaPes, 1986-1997 Iron, magnets, copper leaves, iron filings 126 x 11 inches (320 x 28 cm)
Tunga Xifópagas Capilares  Entre Nós (Capillary Xiphopagus Among Us), 1984 Performance view Kanaal Art Foundation, Kortrijk, Belgium 1989 Photo: Gilles Hutchinson
Tunga Albino, 1982 Cotton felt, cotton rope, and hardware 98 3/8 x 66 7/8 x 3 7/8 inches (250 x 170 x 10 cm)
Tunga Vê-nus (Venus), 1976 Rubber, chain, and lights Dimensions variable Installation view Tunga: 1977-1997, Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, 1997

Video

Contact

For more information, please contact Leah Horowitz at leah@luhringaugustine.com.

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