Head No. 2 1916

Naum Gabo made this sculpture called Head No. 2, and it’s a trip how he breaks down the human form. It’s like he’s not just seeing a head, but all the angles and planes it could be. The sculpture is made of these flat, intersecting planes, kinda like how we might build something out of cardboard or metal. The surface has a slight sheen but you can see the marks of the making in the joins, it's all part of the design. I find myself wondering if he started with a clay model or just figured it out as he went along, I find the process so interesting. Look at how the light catches the edges and casts shadows - it’s almost like a Cubist painting come to life. It’s a bit like Picasso, but without the jokes and distortions. It's serious stuff. But that’s what I love about art, it’s always a conversation, an ongoing experiment with new ways of seeing.