He’s back.

Our favorite Spanish revolutionary—Eugenio Merino—returns to the UNIX Gallery for “Sons Of Capital,” a solo show at the 532 West 24th Street location in New York.  “Sons Of Capital” opens with a public reception on October 20 from 6-8 pm and runs for three weeks.

The new body of work features the provocative artist’s signature use of hyperrealist sculpture, installation, and conceptualism to illustrate the inequitable effects of blind, ubiquitous capitalism through satire and metaphor.

Sons Of Capital
Armani suit with biker patches
30 x 20 in. | 76 x 50 cm.
2016

Are the Wall Street suits just another gang of pirates, focused on one objective – robbing us of our future?

“Sons Of Capital” develops a discourse about the distribution of power in society today, where the few decide who will rule for them and on their behalf.

Merino’s work is a cry for change to push through and overcome the fear or preconceived notions of security espoused by selfish authoritarians who are motivated by nothing but their own greed. Such a system germinates and feeds leaders who are elected only for their own benefit and the benefit of the their friends in high places. It is a (self) delusion to think that we can be part of decision-making with our ballots. Merino tells us the real truth is that those decisions have been already made and our votes are just an act to satisfy the masses.

Damaged Goods
Platinum silicone, human hair, and polyurethane
14 x 9 x 10 in. | 36 x 23 x 25 cm.
2016

The most striking work is Damaged Goods, a life-size sculpture of Donald Trump’s head, complete with his signature hairstyle, detailed to every strand.

The Donald’s disembodied head—displayed in a shipping box marked “FRAGILE”—is an expression of anger, even rage.   Is this how fascist dictators meet their end? Is this the work of ISIS?  Does hate speech breed violence?  There’s a sense of real disgust the hits me in the stomach – an emotional response that I wasn’t prepared for.

This is not The Apprentice.

 

Face Wash
Industrial dishwasher with commemorative plates
32 x 23 x 25 in. | 82 x 58 x 66.5 cm.
2016

Replete with political imagery and motifs, Merino presents a contemporary cautionary tale rooted in the denial of individual freedoms and democratic right under the guise of “managing society” by a new and more opaque fascism. Moreover, Face Wash addresses the interchangeability of politicians. Like the plates that bear their portraits, these leaders are mere ornamentation; puppets for a larger apparatus in which both they and average citizens get wrapped up. Merino presents a contemporary cautionary tale rooted in the denial of individual freedoms and democratic right under the guise of “managing society” by a new and more opaque fascism. There is a cycle of washing away the same sociopolitical issues that burden our society, just to repeat and further these mistakes.

For Merino, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Even as times change and the world evolves, yet the struggle remains the same.

Eugenio Merino (b. 1975, Madrid, Spain) graduated from the Complutense University of Madrid. He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions including MOCA Taipei and the B.P.S.22 in Belgium. In October 2015, Merino made his US museum debut in the Station Museum of Contemporary Art’s, Corpocracy. The exhibition also featured works by Ron English. He has participated in a variety of art fairs, including The Armory Show, FIAC (Paris), ARCO (Madrid), Zona MACO, Volta, Art Miami, and Art 16 London. Eugenio Merino currently lives and works in Madrid, Spain.

“Sons Of Capital” runs from October 20 through November 12, 2016 and the gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

TEXT – Adonay Bermudez (adapted by C. Sarkar) 
PHOTOS – Ben Vine (all except Eugenio Merino’s portrait by C. Sarkar)