No Man
Silkscreen on plywood
120cm x 102cm
No Man reimagines Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, infusing the classical symbol of human perfection with personal narrative and contemporary themes. The piece features a digitally created self-portrait in the iconic pose, deliberately altered to disrupt the idealised form and invite deeper reflection.
The figure stands naked except for footwear and a woollen hat - a subtle yet significant detail referencing neurodivergence and sensitivity to sensory experiences. The hat symbolises comfort and self-preservation in a world not always accommodating to different ways of being, juxtaposing vulnerability with resilience.
Where the genitalia would traditionally be depicted, there is a void - a deliberate hole. Surrounding this absence, the flesh forms both a circle and a square, nodding directly to da Vinci’s geometric symbolism. This emptiness speaks to feelings of incompleteness, the sacrifices made in pursuit of meaning, and a challenge to conventional ideas of wholeness and masculinity.
Just beyond the reach of the figure’s four extended hands are tempting objects: a packet of cigarettes, a glass of wine, a cupcake, and a moka coffee pot. These items represent addictive pleasures and instant gratifications consciously kept at bay. Their placement highlights the tension between desire and self-discipline, embodying the continual choice to say “no” in favour of personal growth.
No Man challenges and expands upon established symbols, re-contextualising a cultural icon to critique modern society. It uses self-portraiture to explore themes of identity, vulnerability, neurodivergence, and the societal pressures that shape perception. Through its layered symbolism and personal reflections, the piece invites viewers to contemplate desire, meaning, and the choices that define us - offering an intimate yet broadly resonant perspective on the human experience.
On the figure’s feet are ice skates and ballet shoes - symbols drawn from childhood aspirations and interests. These elements anchor the work in lived experience, evoking the paths embraced and those left behind, and speaking to the complexities of decision-making and personal evolution.
Printed in monochrome halftone onto plywood, the artwork combines digital precision with a raw, tactile surface. The halftone technique adds visual complexity, while the plywood substrate grounds the piece in physical reality.