BRONZE, OXFORD MASK, 2010 BY THOMAS HOUSEAGO

HIS MONUMENTAL FIGURES INHABIT A SPACE BETWEEN STRENGTH AND FRAGILITY, WHERE THE HUMAN FORM IS RENDERED BOTH COMMANDING AND UNSETTLED. WORKING WITH MATERIALS TRADITIONALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CLASSICAL AND MODERNIST SCULPTURE — BRONZE, WOOD, CLAY, AND PLASTER — ALONGSIDE MORE INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS HEMP AND REINFORCED STEEL, HE CONSTRUCTS BODIES THAT FEEL SIMULTANEOUSLY ANCIENT AND UNSTABLE

HIS FIGURES OFTEN APPEAR STRAINED OR OFF-BALANCE, THEIR EXAGGERATED LIMBS AND MASK-LIKE FACES PRESSING AGAINST THE LIMITS OF FORM. THROUGH THIS TENSION, HOUSEAGO BLURS THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN SCULPTURE AND DRAWING, MASS AND LINE, ALLOWING VULNERABILITY TO COEXIST WITH PHYSICAL PRESENCE