sculpted people lights headlights by stephen shaheen

‘headlights’, 2012mixed media and electrical components 

the ‘headlight series’, by brooklyn-based artist stephen shaheen, are hand-sculpted from a modeling pulp he creates using recycled paper, cotton and denim, along with electrical components. the ideas originate in sketches, from which shaheen creates armatures based on human proportions, positioning the gestures before carefully modeling the bodies. it is a long and multi-step process that results in a very hard, lightweight object. rather than sculptural illuminations, shaheen see these as illuminated sculptures, and each piece is unique.

to create the ‘headlights’, shaheen researched traditional doll and puppet-making techniques, and repurposed materials such as newspaper, blue jeans and personal paper items. In addition to creating environmentally-sensitive work, shaheen finds meaning in the dismantling and reinvention of his belongings. whether temporary vessels of my thoughts – such as old journals and sketchbooks or the detritus of quotidian life – like coffee filters, paper bags, parking tickets, and clothing, these intimate yet expendable items are destroyed and transformed into art.

he asserts:

‘the underlying concept distilled from all of these is the notion of ‘connection’. I enjoy converting objects that once had specific, perhaps cut-and-dry purposes into open-ended, metaphorical tableaux.’

‘headlights’ 2012, mixed media installationheight: 24″ (60cm)

the ideas originate in sketches, from which shaheen creates armatures based on human proportions

each object is a long and multi-step process that results in a very hard, lightweight object

to create the ‘headlights’, shaheen researched traditional doll and puppet-making techniques, and repurposed materials such as newspaper

‘american socket’ 2012, mixed media height: 28″ (72cm)

‘headlights’ 2012, mixed media installation