EVE (1981)
Painted wood, wood putty, yarn, hair, plastic eyes and found objects. (Private Collection)

Adam and Eve are among Harvey's earliest and most powerful human figures and seem to possess a life force all their own. Plastic eyes create riveting stares. Wood putty fleshes out nostrils as if a breath has been freshly drawn. Locks of human hair delicately frame entranced faces. Elegant, simple jewelry adorns both figures. Acorn caps serve as Eve's breasts and the serpentine contours of her lone attached arm cleverly suggest those of a serpent. The attenuated figure of Adam is androgynous, unlike later versions in which his sexuality is pronounced. The expressive facial treatment and the absence of extraneous elements bring considerable stature to Adam and Eve despite their small size.

Click here to see a 3D image of Adam, and here to view a short video of Eve.