Face To Face

To mark the 10th anniversary of The Lightbox gallery and museum, its major summer exhibition will feature the figurative work of sculptor Sean Henry, who grew up near Woking. Tinx Newton speaks to the man behind the figurines

- Tinx Newton

SEAN Henry works alone in his large warehouse studio in Hampshire, yet he is surrounded by other people. His highly realistic figures, finished in either ceramic, plaster or bronze, are imposing and somehow very moving. Some are larger than life, others smaller, but never exactly life-size. “That” he says,” would be disturbing.”

Sean’s figures, whatever their size, are men, women and children with a strong physical presence. Whether standing, sitting or walking, they appear lost in thought - often gazing into the distance. Within their eyes, we seek to find their life story, and their anonymity is intentional.

Sean says, “While I nearly always base my figures on real people, I am not so much interested in the specifics of who they are or might be, but rather in the more oblique aspects of how they feel, from the inside out. The interior life of the sitter is what hopefully gives the sculpture its energy.”

This sense of theatricality imbues the figures with a powerful presence. Their slightly laden aura, strong features and intense realism are the mark of Sean’s creative hand.

After initial sketches, photographs and studies with his subject, Sean creates the figures in clay. Molds are then made with some figures subsequently cast in bronze under Sean’s watchful eye. He then paints them, a process which gives a contemporary feel and is carefully considered.