Australia based artist Paul Kaptein creates his work by hand sculpting it from wood. Kaptein’s work is generally representational, very realistic depictions of people and clothing. A recurring theme in his work is a hoody. The hooded sweatshirt retains its form as if its being worn but is empty; no one is wearing it. The motif is reminiscent of the representation of death and its empty hooded shroud. However, in contrast the hoody is also associated with youth. Interestingly, Kaptein generally does not paint his sculptures. Rather, he leaves his material to be an integral part of the sculpture, to be considered alongside its content.
