Human heads feature prominently in Len Makabe’s iron sculptures.
Some represent an intriguing take on the classical bust, including an anatomical model head whose face flips up to reveal a skull and a boy’s head with a shoe perched on top.
The artist says he wants to “weave drama” into his exhibits, and he certainly achieves that. Other works are a little less abstract, with depictions of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Makabe, who studied at Tokyo University of the Arts and Nihon University, says iron preserves the “spirit and energy” he expends when creating his sculptures.
“Even after I am gone, my thoughts and ideas poured into iron continue to retain my creative spirit as the iron degenerates, rusts and disappears with time, until the very last trace,” he says.
Makabe’s exhibition runs through December 17 at the Frederick Harris Gallery.
