Head-Wicht
2006
Glazed ceramics and steel
38 x 27 x 28 cm (14 15/16 x 10 5/8 x 11 in.)
All of Thomas Schütte’s sculpture work is figurative, revealing his concern for the human condition. His caricatured, sometimes downtrodden but always touching figures come to life in clay, wax, ceramics, steel, bronze and full-length or head-and-shoulders portraits. The German artist addresses crucial topics such as power, memory, the role of art, beauty, economic greed, death, beauty and melancholy.
More recently, the genre of portraiture has enabled him to address themes like alienation, conflict, isolation and vulnerability, as seen in the sculpture Head-Wicht (2006). This imperfect, menacing ceramic and steel head with prominent eyes explores the expressive potential of physiognomy. What stress is this sculpture, whose title literally means "Head-weight", suffering from? Perhaps the stress of the decorative object, which it approximates by means of its highly stylised presentation.
Head-Wicht by Thomas Schütte was first shown by the Pinault Collection at the "Eloge du Doute" (“In Praise of Doubt”) exhibition at the Punta della Dogana (2011-2013).
More recently, the genre of portraiture has enabled him to address themes like alienation, conflict, isolation and vulnerability, as seen in the sculpture Head-Wicht (2006). This imperfect, menacing ceramic and steel head with prominent eyes explores the expressive potential of physiognomy. What stress is this sculpture, whose title literally means "Head-weight", suffering from? Perhaps the stress of the decorative object, which it approximates by means of its highly stylised presentation.
Head-Wicht by Thomas Schütte was first shown by the Pinault Collection at the "Eloge du Doute" (“In Praise of Doubt”) exhibition at the Punta della Dogana (2011-2013).
Exhibitions
Thomas SCHÜTTE © Adagp, Paris.
Courtesy Thomas Schütte et Galerie Nelson-Freeman, Paris.
Photo: Martin Argyroglo
