Recruit
Recruit (2008)
23×18¼ Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
Shaving the head, either voluntarily or as a requirement, has often been used as a way to initiate oneself into a group, to create a collective oneness. Others shave their heads to gain a sense of identity, to stand out from the crowd. For whatever reason, it is almost always a near-religious experience, but at the same time very liberating.
Having never before done a piece featuring a guy having his head shaved, I thought Recruit would be a fun and interesting challenge. Other aspects of the composition, such as the arm tattoo and the hanging punching bag, came toward the end of the process.
