BIG HEAD

How many sides do we have?

Big Head, 2025
Oil paint, acrylic, carbon fibre, aluminium and stainless steel
Unique work
H73 x W92 x D56cm
© Mark Humphrey

“BIG HEAD TURNS THE PORTRAIT INTO A THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY. THE NOSE, MOUTH, EAR AND EYE ARE SUSPENDED AROUND RED-STAINED TRANSLUCENT BLOCKS, FORMING A WEB-LIKE STRUCTURE CONNECTING THE SENSES. THE HEAD CAN BE VIEWED FROM EVERY ANGLE, WITH ITS FACIAL FEATURES APPEARING ACROSS DIFFERENT ELEVATIONS. THERE IS NO SINGLE FACE, NO SINGLE VIEWPOINT AND NO COMPLETE PICTURE.

THE OVERSIZED FEATURES SUGGEST THE INFLATED PERSONA WE MAY CONSTRUCT AROUND OURSELVES TO APPEAR LARGER THAN WE ARE. WE BUILD OURSELVES UP, PIECE BY PIECE, YET BEHIND EVERY VERSION WE PRESENT IS THE SELF THAT REMAINS UNSEEN.”

Mark Humphrey