Spanish sculptor Eugenio Merino, hailing from Malaga—the birthplace of Pablo Picasso—has sparked conversations with his lifelike statue of the legendary artist. The installation, displayed in a gift shop, critiques the commodification of cultural icons, shining a light on how tourism can dilute the complexity of an artist’s legacy. Visitors are encouraged to take selfies with the statue, a controversial move aimed at underscoring how Picasso’s profound artistic contributions have been reduced to mere souvenirs.
A Masterpiece Reimagined
Merino’s hyperrealistic sculpture of Picasso is crafted from fibreglass, resin, and plastic, coated with silicone, and embedded with real human hair. Standing at 5’3” to match Picasso’s actual height, the statue is dressed in the artist’s iconic striped top, cloth trousers, and rope-soled shoes—a nod to his distinctive style in later years. By basing the piece on photographs, Merino has captured Picasso’s likeness with uncanny precision.
The choice of location—a gift shop—is deliberate. It invites viewers to confront the contrast between the artist’s groundbreaking contributions to Cubism and his reduction to a selfie backdrop for tourists armed with selfie sticks (banned in most museums). Through this installation, Merino critiques the ways in which tourism can trivialise cultural heritage.
From Poverty to Record-Breaking Fame
Picasso’s life story adds depth to the installation’s message. Born in Malaga in 1881, he later moved to Paris, where his early years were marked by poverty. In fact, some of his early artworks were burned to heat his apartment. Fast forward to today, and Picasso holds the record for the most expensive artwork ever sold, with his Les Femmes d’Alger fetching $179.4 million (£117 million) at auction.
Picasso’s artistic journey began with life-like portraits influenced by Impressionism. Over time, he incorporated surreal elements and African motifs, revolutionising modern art with the development of Cubism. This evolution in his work highlights his genius, making the installation’s critique of his commercialisation even more poignant.
Tourism and the Erosion of Legacy
Merino’s decision to allow tourists to interact with the statue, even permitting the use of selfie sticks, is intended to prove a point. He highlights how complex figures like Picasso, who reshaped the art world, are now often reduced to simplistic representations for the sake of tourism. The installation juxtaposes the depth of Picasso’s contributions with the shallowness of a photo-op culture.
In Merino’s words, the statue serves as a mirror to society, reflecting how we engage with cultural icons in an era dominated by consumerism. By placing Picasso in a setting filled with trinkets and souvenirs, Merino forces viewers to question their own relationship with art, tourism, and history.
A Thought-Provoking Tribute
Far from a straightforward homage, Merino’s statue is a thought-provoking commentary on the intersection of art, tourism, and cultural preservation. It reminds us that while Picasso’s influence is eternal, the ways we engage with his legacy are ever-evolving—and not always for the better.
Eugenio Merino’s installation is a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the delicate balance between celebrating an artist’s work and commodifying their legacy. This bold artwork invites viewers to reflect on how we consume culture in the modern age, and perhaps, to reconsider what it truly means to honour a genius like Picasso.