“The work of Canadian sculptor David Altmejd stimulated my interest in creating disintegrated representations of the human figure. In Thoth, two half heads are combined: one is upside down showing a realistic human head, while the other half is upright and features pointed gemstones representing a distorted face in abstract form. Inspired by abstraction, my conté drawing depicts a figure—an elderly man adorned with a weathered hat—who symbolizes the resilience of those impacted by nuclear tragedies, whose lives are permanently changed by uncontrollable forces. Yet, beneath the facade of stoicism lies a palpable sense of vulnerability and despair, as the harsh realities of radiation-induced harm manifest in the distorted features of the face. The work reflects the devastating impact of historical Canadian nuclear contamination on the human body and serves as a portrait, compelling viewers to confront the profound moral responsibilities entwined within our pursuit of technological advancement.”

–Meilin Yuan (Grade 11, St. John’s School, Vancouver, British Columbia)

The complex sculptures of Montreal-born, Los Angeles-based artist David Altmejd (b.1974) focus on the human form, often blurring the boundaries between representation and abstraction.