human nails XIX (2025) Original Wood Sculpture by Manfred Hellweger

human nails XIX takes the form of a filigree, abstracted human silhouette, created from countless carefully placed wire pins that merge through fine weld points.
Supported by a fragment of an old Hanza — those simple yet indispensable wooden frames once used by farmers during hay harvests — the sculpture is a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. With the advent of modern harvesting technology, these silent helpers have almost disappeared, becoming relics of a bygone working world. In this series of works, however, they experience a quiet rebirth, entering into a new artistic dialogue, freed from their original function.
The upper part of the steel sculpture has been worked on with various tools to create subtle structures and reflections. A matt clear varnish coating protects the surface from oxidation and gives it timeless durability.

Materials used:

wire nails, old spruce wood, clear varnish, steel

Details:

• Wood sculpture on Other
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 10 x 79.7 x 10cm
• Signed certificate of authenticity
• Style: Unspecified
• Subject: People and portraits