Born in Melbourne in 1958, Mueck has been based in the United Kingdom since 1986. He has explored the possibilities of the human form, first as a special-effects worker creating photorealistic props and animatronics for the film and advertising industries (under pioneering puppeteer Jim Henson), and later as an artist. Mueck had early success as part of the landmark 1997 exhibition Sensation: Young British Artists from the Saatchi Collection, at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. The overwhelming public response to his work has since led him to be seen as Australia’s most successful contemporary artist internationally, with his work shown throughout the world. As a sculptor, Mueck is now arguably the preeminent international exponent of hyperrealism.