There is a brilliance of concept, technique and execution in Brooklyn artist Stephen Shaheen‘s illuminated sculpture project The Headlight Series that shines as brightly as the bulb heads of his humanoid creations.
We all messed about with papier-mâché in childhood, but plugging the results into the mains tended to be frowned upon, at least in our school. Shaheen’s work is modelling on an evolutionary scale, using all manner of recycled paper, cotton and denim to create a pulp which he has moulded into life-sized figures whose expressiveness belies their lack of facial features.
It’s difficult to tell whether the power cords connecting his figures are giving them life or impaling them – indeed one of his creations seems determined to turn out the light permanently by pulling his own plug – but they are all centred on the theme of connection. Improbably posed, at times tender, at others desperate, the figures of The Headlight Series shine a light on a rare talent.
