Author Description

Robert Gober's sculptural works trigger disquieting thoughts and feelings about the most commonplace aspects of our daily lives. Gober first came to public attention in the mid-80s with his simple variations on the domestic sink, which were deprived of faucets and drains and thus rendered nonfunctional--highlighting, among other things, a neurotic frustration particular to rituals of cleansing. Since then Gober's work has rarely strayed from the recreation of such familiar objects as drains, doors, children's furniture and the human body. In his hands, these routine props of existence--always crafted meticulously by the artist--suggest larger themes around childhood, domesticity, sexuality, victimization and religion. At 544 pages, Robert Gober: Sculptures 1979-2007 is a monumental catalogue raisonne of sculptures and installations. It includes approximately 250 works, all of which are reproduced in large format. Comprehensive descriptions are complemented by the artist's own commentary on individual works, as well as technical information on their manufacture.