Poetic Veiled Sculptures Shrouded in Mystery

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The statue of a young woman, facedown and veiled by a stream of glass crystal beads, is an interesting work of art known as Ghost Girl by London-based sculptor Kevin Francis Gray. Presented on a pedestal like a classic Greek sculpture, the marble figure offers a somber look at a modern young woman. It combines the classic style of sculptures with an urban aesthetic; thereby, leading one to question its artistic intention.

This contemporary piece, like much of Gray's work, has a hint of secrecy and surrealism to it. When the beaded veil is pulled back, it is revealed that a skeletal face lies behind it. Equally disturbing are the scars on the girl's arms, purposely held behind her body. One is led to wonder whether the beads are symbolic tears or an interpretive shield.

Each of Gray's sculptures, typically made of cast resin, bronze, or marble, simulates some sort of cloaking material to keep the figures hidden. They each wear a mask, whether it's in the form of a cascade of beads covering their face or a draping sheet obscuring their entire bodies.

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Photo via Laissez Fare

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Photo credit: RJ Swanson

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Kevin Francis Gray website
via [WeTheUrban]

Pinar

Pinar Noorata (she/her) is the Editorial Director at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. She also runs her own art & culture newsletter called The High Low. She first joined the My Modern Met team in 2011 as a Contributing Writer, pitching and publishing articles about a wide range of topics. Her expertise in visual media lends itself to in-depth analysis of varied art forms, including but not limited to painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, design, and photography. Pinar has a particular affinity for spotlighting up-and-coming artists, affording them a platform and offering a voice to lesser-heard individuals looking to break through, especially BIPOC creatives. She has helped multiple artists make a name for themselves and reach a wider audience over 10+ years as a writer and editor (both through long-form articles and short-form videos). When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching films and TV, reading, crafting, drawing, frequenting museums and galleries, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
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