Australian sculptor Ron Mueck is no stranger to using life and death as the theme of his work, having previously created extremely realistic pieces such as Dead Dad and Pregnant Woman. His latest creation, Mass, was commissioned for the inaugural National Gallery of Victoria Triennial in Melbourne and is his largest work to date.

Mass is an installation of 100 individual human skulls made from fibreglass and resin. The piling of the skulls has been compared to the Paris catacombs and other historical relics of war. Each of these skulls is around one metre high, serving as a reminder of the transience of life and the study of mortality. As the skull has been a symbol in many cultural, religious and art pieces, Mass is purposefully placed within historical collections for recreating contextual resonances.

The NGV Triennial runs until 15 April 2018.