Lauren Carly Shaw’s sculptures are not for the faint of heart. They depict women completely enveloped in hair, their bodies transformed into something both beautiful and unsettling. Shaw’s use of hair is both symbolic and literal. Hair has long been seen as a sign of beauty, health, and power. In some cultures, it is also believed to hold personal history. By covering her figures entirely in hair, Shaw challenges these traditional ideas and creates a sense of the otherworldly.
The sculptures are undeniably beautiful, with the cascading hair creating a sense of movement and flow. However, there is also a darkness to them. The women’s faces are obscured, and their bodies are lost beneath the weight of the hair. This creates a sense of mystery and unease, and suggests that there is more to these figures than meets the eye.
Shaw’s sculptures are a powerful exploration of the complex symbolism of hair. They challenge our ideas of beauty and identity, and force us to confront the darkness that can sometimes lie beneath the surface.
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