Ren Rullo

The Weight of the Human Soul is a series that explores the emotional toll of being a human and how we must reckon with the fact humanity is a heavy burden to bear.

Ren Rullo uses mediums that lean into editions and multiplicity in order to question the value of an art-object when it, hypothetically or really, exist in multiples.

This series features a printbook also titled The Weight of the Human Soul (2020-2022) that chronicles the thoughts of the narrator as they explain the idea of the human soul having some tangible quality and the questions that brings up, through corresponding prints and text. Throughout the entirety of the Weight of the Human Soul series, Rullo uses the blue swirl as a visual motif to represent the soul. They also explore dual-utilitarian art objects and are inspired by women and LGBT makers which is why the other two artworks serve a dual function as a clock and rug in their Lifetime (2022) and Aurea (2022) works, respectfully. Rullo’s background as an art historian also influences their practice as it is research-focused and references historical examples, as seen in the inclusion of their Thesis paper titled “Grief in Global Contemporary Art” into the collection of works.