Human head sculpted in clay, hands holding clay ears

Photograph of sculptor's hands cupping two clay ears ready to be attached to a clay model of a human head. At this stage of anatomically modelling a human head, the skull has been completed and the major facial muscles and features have been added. By carefully pressing muscles against the bone, they take on their anatomical shape without further modelling required. Now, with the auditory canals exactly in place, the ears may be comfortably attached without further instruction or measurement. This image forms part of a series of work titled "Stranger than a Wolf" showing the gradual anatomical creation of a human head in clay. For the entire process (forming the cranial bone structure and placing the facial muscles, features and skin) see related images. As a reference, a male human skull was chosen from the Panum Collection, Copenhagen. Sculptor Ellie Scheepens was asked to reproduce it with attention to comparison and touch, and without viewing the front of the head and face (anterior view) at all. This unique method of forensic modelling was directed throughout the process by artist Heather Spears. Concept: artist, writer and educator Heather Spears. Sculpture: Ellie Scheepens. Photography: Orsolya Benkóczi and Isaac Carter.