Dean Millien's Aluminum-Foil Animals at MoMA PS1

Dean Millien, a self-taught artist from Brooklyn, creates animal sculptures from aluminum foil, a material he chose for its durability and availability. His work was recently featured in MoMA PS1's Greater New York exhibition, marking a significant recognition of his practice. Millien, born in 1972 to Haitian immigrants in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, developed his artistic drive after his father discarded his toys, leading him to craft his own from scrap materials. He cites Marcel Duchamp as an influence, having visited the artist's retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Millien, who has a developmental disability, has worked with New York organizations supporting artists with disabilities, but emphasizes that his background does not make him feel ostracized. His studio in Bushwick is filled with his foil menagerie, and he remains focused on elevating his practice while trusting his instincts.