The Clayman
The Clayman, Olsen, Hans Pauli,2002. Hjørring
A man’s figure is trying to build itself up out of the clay. This is actually a selfportrait of the artist and one is led to think about artists who are made through their works.
Hans Pauli Olsen's sculpture gives meaning to the saying "Make it up as you go along", the man is in the process of creating himself.
Hans Pauli Olsen built his monumental sculptures in clay before being cast in bronze and "The Clayman" which is meant to be a self-portrait, seems to have it's hands full of clay, ready to smear them onto the torso, which is only roughly outlined .
A sculpture under construction, along the way, highlighted by the forward tilting movement. Perhaps the artist creates himself through this work method?