Sean Henry

Description

Here are three views of a man. Who he is should not concern us, but the inference in this arrangement of his body in differing attitudes is that his identity does concern him. We all wonder about shaping our lives - if we take this particular path, might this or that happen? We cannot be sure of the outcome resulting from our actions, but we can guess. One version of the self is solid, his feet on the ground, his gaze capturing our eye. Another is walking down a prescribed path of life, determined. The other is a dreamer, a free spirit with a knowing smile.

This sculpture could be about fate or about choices, and we bring to this ensemble our feelings about such things, which effect the way we view it. The figures also offer potential: the potential for narrative, should we choose, or for a closed scenario. To select one may preclude other choices, which returns us to Sean Henry's reason for making this group. He explores with this character a frozen moment, and gives us time to walk amongst the versions of a self, which, like so many ancient standing stones, gives some of its meaning, but retains an abiding mystery. These spiritual and psychological possibilities are seemingly at odds with the everyday nature of this man - he is indeed Everyman - as his everyday clothing reveals. But it is interesting to note how different clothing reveals differing states of being: an open-necked shirt tells of freedom and confidence, a donkey jacket of working purposefulness, a shirt with short sleeves, determination. Sean Henry's skill in modelling the clay for the bronze casting process and the subtlety of the patina he achieves contribute to both the reality and to the state of mystery the sculpture conveys. The ordinariness of the individual elements serves to underline the complexities that are slowly revealed to us. We, of course, are the second party - or possibly the fourth choice.