Things are really coming to a head!
The “head” of anything is very
important. When we look at a person/animal/being we naturally want to see the head.
Our eyes simply move there because we will learn a lot about the life form we
see by observing the head and the features of this head.
The head of any creature will tells me a
lot, and decisions will be made within fractions of seconds regarding what I
see. For, besides the shape and make-up of the head (Animal, human, alien etc. that
being an important revelation right there!) it also holds the facial features
of the being. This is really what I want to see. It’s the facial expression
that reveals it’s mindset to a large extent and will give me a clue as to how I
must begin relating. Is it angry? If so do I need to defend myself or run? Is
it happy? Again my response will be dictated by what I see. If it’s human and I
see a glum facial expression I need to decide what I say, if anything. If it’s
a face showing joy, it is much easier and I can respond with a smile and an
expression of gladness in my voice and words of greeting. These are things I
look for and respond to in fractions of a second. I don’t even think about what
I am doing here, it comes natural and it is absolutely necessary so I can begin
relating in an appropriate way.
So when people come to view this
sculpture, they will be jarred first of all because the head and the body do
not match! This is obviously not normal! Why would a human body have an obvious
animal, even fox kind of head? Then, secondly there is the expression of the
face. It is sort of questionable...looking through a telescope, (also not
normal) tongue sensuously liking it’s lips with kind of angry or questioning
eyebrows. So, now we need help. This is confusing, even disconcerting. The help
comes from the name, “Foxy David”....
Definition of “Foxy”: “is a description
of sly discrete young lady’s, (or men) that are on the hunt... foxy is a term
that can relate to anything and anyone at any time.” Urban Dictionary.
All of this just to indicate that the foxy head is a
way of getting the viewers attention and the mind bender process involved in attempting to
solve the riddle. Then the realisation of the humour of the piece (hopefully) when arriving
at the knowledge that it’s about King David ogling the beautiful bathing
Bathsheba. Using the "foxy head" to modernise the old "never to have been considered funny" old Biblical story. It's the physical different "foxy" (cultural slang inserting new meanings) head that brings a new and surprising present day slant on it all.
It’s my playing with the human process of
analysing the head. Once you realise what has inspired this piece you will
begin to see other much more serious elements in the piece which speak to the various
sad consequences as a result of his unfortunate actions following the ogling of
the lady.
As you can see, I’ve just begun to paint
the darker brown colour onto the fur, then rubbing, leaving the darker brown in
the crevices which highlights the furry aspects of the head.
Things have come to a head!
“Then
the prophet went and stood by the road waiting for the king. He disguised himself
with his headband down over his eyes.”
1
Kings 20:38
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