Bronze sculpture „Die Sitzende“ (The Seating) Mario Dalpra 2022

Mario Dalpra, born in 1960 in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, is an artist who is dedicated to both painting and sculpture. He focuses on different techniques in alternating phases. Since 2006, Dalpra has specialized in bronze works, which have now become “signature” pieces in his oeuvre. Characteristic of his cast bronze sculptures are flowing, organic forms and his special attention to the surface design. The “Seated” is part of the group of his anthropomorphic sculptures and clearly features a seated posing figure. Its silver-patinated surface and melodic contours ending in shiny gold are equally fascinating.
The artist himself stated in an interview: “The climax came with the lacquering. I began to paint, to put on lacquer again, to add a third layer of lacquer. (…) But then I realized: there is no such thing as perfection. Some sculptures still get mistakes, sort of injuries. And that calmed me.” * Thus, the silver-plated surface of this sculpture also has occasional imperfections, as a sign of vulnerability and the impossibility of perfection.
*M. Dalpra in an interview with Brigitte Mühlbauer, Mario Dalpra 01. Burning Skin. Sehnsucht nach Perfektion (Longing for perfection), Bucher publ., Hohenems 2020, p. 30