Head on Stick by John Lord, Metal, Unique, 203cm high (including stick) by 35cm wide by 50cm deep, Figurative sculpture
Head on Stick by John Lord is a bold figurative metal sculpture, standing 203 cm high, 35 cm wide, and 50 cm deep. The piece features a woman’s head mounted atop a tall, slender metal stick. This vertical presentation gives it a commanding, totem-like presence.
The head and neck are built from twisting, winding strips of metal. They coil around each other, forming bumps and lumps that create rich texture. Despite the abstraction, the facial features remain visible. Eyes, nose, and mouth appear within the chaotic metal, sometimes partially hidden. This invites viewers to move around the sculpture and explore it from different angles.
The hair consists of thinner, finer strips. They curl and weave around the head, echoing the twisting energy of the face. The contrast between thick metal coils and delicate strands adds visual tension. It also gives the piece a sense of movement, as if the hair flows in the wind.
The stick elevates the head, drawing the viewer’s gaze upward. Shadows cast by the twisting strips enhance the depth and drama. Depending on the angle, the metal appears to shift and change, giving the work a dynamic presence.
Overall, Lord turns metal into an expressive, abstract portrait. The sculpture balances chaos and clarity, abstraction and recognizability. Texture, movement, and verticality combine to make Head on Stick a striking, unforgettable composition.































