Mickey by Michael Kenny, Portland Stone, Unique, 57cm high by 76cm wide by 12cm deep , Cartoon sculpture

Michael Kenny’s Mickey is a unique Portland stone sculpture that playfully transforms the elegance of stone into a familiar and whimsical form. Standing 57cm high, 76cm wide, and 12cm deep, the work presents a silhouette that instantly recalls the outline of a cartoon mouse’s head. Its composition relies on bold, simple geometry: a large central circle forms the head, while two half-circles balance carefully on top to suggest ears. The very top of the main circle has been cut and smoothed flat, creating a clean surface that anchors the two smaller shapes in place.

Kenny reduces the mouse-like figure to its most basic elements, stripping away detail while keeping the form immediately recognizable. This abstraction invites viewers to reflect on how minimal shapes can evoke powerful associations and cultural references. At the same time, the use of Portland stone adds weight and permanence to a form usually seen in playful, fleeting contexts such as cartoons.

The contrast between material and subject deepens the sculpture’s impact. Stone suggests solidity, history, and endurance, while the mouse silhouette recalls childhood, lightness, and imagination. By uniting the two, Kenny creates a dialogue between durability and ephemerality.

Viewed from different angles, the sculpture maintains its bold presence, yet the simplicity of its curves encourages the eye to linger. Mickey becomes more than a cartoon reference; it is a meditation on form, memory, and the enduring power of simple shapes to capture imagination.