Hand of God is a visually symbolic piece representing a life journey filled with all kinds of strong emotions. Created by Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, the large-scale public installation features a giant hand reaching out from the ground and supporting a slouched, possibly downtrodden, figure resting atop the palm.
The piece encapsulates moments of self-doubt and fear and visually conveys what it is to be human. Many of Quinn's sculptures exemplify our continuous path towards finding balance in life. In his work, he often uses a recurring theme of human hands, stating, “Hands are part of a universal language, they transcend borders.” The recognizable form provides a commonality with which viewers are able to identify, allowing every culture to connect with the work on a basic level.
After exploring different types of sculpture, including surrealism, Quinn eventually found great success with a well-received, classical approach. According to his bio, many of his pieces start first as interpretations of quotes, phrases, or poetry that then grow and develop into the final, public installations. This piece was recently unveiled in London's Royal Exchange courtesy of the Castle Fine Art and Halcyon Gallery, and it is open to the public daily and free of charge.
