Charlotte 1970

Etienne Hajdu made this sculpture, named Charlotte, from silvery metal. Looking at the openings within the metal, I get a feeling that Hajdu might have started with a solid form, maybe even plaster, carving in and through to create these voids. There is a feeling of lightness, yet the sculpture itself is likely very heavy. I imagine Hajdu working and reworking the surface, refining and smoothing the shapes until they almost glow. It makes me think about the labor of making; the time, the grit, the repetitive touch it requires. It is a beautiful, quiet piece. In some ways, it reminds me of work by Barbara Hepworth, maybe because of the clean lines, or Henry Moore, because of the biomorphic shapes. Sculptors are in an ongoing conversation with each other about form, space, and material. This sculpture invites curiosity, suggesting multiple interpretations and open readings.