Head with Blue Eyes 1983 - 1984

Curator: John Davies' sculpture, "Head with Blue Eyes," presents us with a powerfully unsettling presence. Editor: The materiality is really striking. It looks like it's made from some kind of layered, textured composite. I wonder what process he used? Curator: The eyes, so pale against the textured surface of the face, evoke a sense of detachment, almost alien observation. There's a weight of unseen experience. Editor: You know, examining the apparent construction, it feels almost crudely assembled, drawing attention to the labor involved, rather than hiding the means of production. Curator: That raw, constructed feel amplifies the sense of vulnerability, contrasting with the stoic, almost classical, head shape. He is an everyman, but he is also marked. Editor: It makes me consider how Davies challenges traditional notions of sculpture by foregrounding process and material, inviting the viewer to consider art's connection to labor. Curator: Ultimately, it's a work that transcends simple portraiture, becoming a potent symbol of humanity's complex and often contradictory nature. Editor: It's a testament to how exploring materials and process reveals layers of meaning often hidden in more polished or traditional works.