The title of the sculpture itself hints at headgear. This is true. It was inspired by among other things Mayan shamanistic headwear. Also the Zuchetto or small cap worn by Roman Catholic priests and the bishop’s mitre. Also the tall regular British Grenadier Infantry hat of the mid 1740s. All these influences went into this sculpture. All of these influences have something in common; power. Spiritual power, priestly power, military/physical power. It typifies two of the central themes of my work since the mid-naughties; continued interest in the reimagining of what the Ritual Object might be and the investing of sculptural objects with a sense of inherent Power. The slot and hole are a deliberate attempt to add a portal to another place, whether that be simply physical, emotional or spiritual. The fine edge could be construed as a cutting edge.

The stone is from Burlington Slate in Cumbria. It was known by the quarrymen as 'metal stone' because of it’s resemblance to metal when it was highly finished.