Large Head, 1993

"Why I'm doing figural work again is also partly a reaction to the rather dispassionate, rational and very insensuous art of the 70's" says Balkenhol. "It was as if art didn't or wouldn't illustrate anything, wouldn't relate any more to what was happening externally, but only reflected its own principles and methods and in the end only illustrated itself." (Quoted in: S. Kent, 'Stephan Balkenhol, Sculptures 1998-1996 in the Saatchi Collection', London 1996, unpaged). "My sculptures are relatively realistic", he explains, "means they can all be recognized right away. They've got particular facial features and postures, yet they don't depict anyone in particular." (op. cit.)