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The hand has been a very important symbol within many cultures throughout history and has been present in art dating back to paintings in ancient stone caves. It has been depicted within many cultures. We see symbols within early Celtic, North American, Egyptian and Indian art, for example. Throughout the ages it has been regarded as a symbol of power, protection, and strength. The hand has become one of the most popular shapes and images created in amulets and talismans that were meant to ward off evil, disease, ill-wishing and danger. Many cultures believe that the hand is a conduit of power.
There are more nerve endings in the human hand than in any other part of the body, which makes them the most useful, effective and expressive parts of the body. This is perhaps one of the primary reasons that the hand became such a recognizable, global symbol.
‘The hand’ has been made from flexible steel wires, which were used to resemble the flexibility and expression of the hand. It was produced in response to researching the structure of the human body. I narrowed down my focus to the hand as I felt that it was the most intriguing and expressive part of the body besides the face, with the different shapes, gestures and movements it can make, as well as being interested in the physical way that it is structured.
The base of the structure was built around my own hand, made by running wire along and around the hand, which were then attached at the wrist. I then introduced more wires, which were woven over and over until it started to build a structure and texture that I sought. It extending up the arm slightly with wires trailing un-continued from the wrist that suggests it’s former attachment to the body. It was then displayed in a Perspex case in a gallery type environment, with a scale figure being placed observing the sculpture to give the viewer an impression of the final scale of the sculpture if it were to be created to it’s final size.
Antony Gromely was a huge inspiration in terms of looking at the body and interpreting shape and form in unexpected ways. I used this inspiration to make my own response to a small part of human body, creating an art installation. The piece would be carefully lit to allow the viewer to explore the positive and negative spaces, and the wonderful shadows that are cast on the floor and the walls. The projected shadows help to create a life, vitality and texture to the piece, that engages the viewer and encourages visual exploration. Wire, 43x20x15cm
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| Author |
| Francesca Eden Barkess-Kerr , 17 yrs |
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| School |
| Queen Elizabeth High School |
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