Herodias 1952

Reuben Nakian made this bronze sculpture, Herodias, with a real emphasis on process, you can really see his hand. It's rough, you know? The texture is just everything here; it gives a sense of movement and raw emotion. It’s like he built up the form, adding layer upon layer, almost like geological strata, or maybe even frozen lava. Look at the back of the head, and how the cavity opens up, almost like a second face. It is not so much about perfection, or surface, but more about how the form can evolve. Nakian reminds me of Rodin, but somehow even more unhinged. Both were interested in the idea of representing drama and the human form, but Nakian's work has this unrestrained quality, this willingness to embrace imperfection that just grabs you. Ultimately, this piece is about leaving space for interpretation, a refusal to offer easy answers, which, in my book, is what great art is all about.