The art publisher Beyer Projects has a long history of working with John Baldessari, and hired us to assist with the fabrication of Penguin. Standing precisely 6’7″ tall, the sculpture serves as a whimsical representation that Baldessari humorously identifies as a cartoonish self-portrait. Interestingly, it shares the exact height of the artist himself.
The penguin’s presence is notably conspicuous, its ridiculously large stature prompting viewers to question its purpose in the setting. The undeniable allure forces onlookers to pause and contemplate. In this way, Baldessari skillfully lures individuals into interacting with his art. One might speculate that, standing at the same height as the penguin, Baldessari saw a parallel between himself and this seemingly awkward and ungainly creature. It’s not a conventional self-portrait, yet Baldessari embraced the role of jesters and clowns to unveil deeper truths.
This consciously surreal self-portrait sheds light on the absurdity of attempting to encapsulate a human life through art. By acknowledging the impossibility of fully capturing a life in sculpture, Baldessari invites us to find joy in the creative process itself.
