Momaw ‘Side-eye’ Nadon

Original figure: ‘Momaw “Hammerhead” Nadon’ (Kenner, 1978).

Modified cardback, bespoke blister, toy parts, epoxy putty, acrylic paint.

“I originally bought this figure because of its interesting anatomy, and I knew some idea of what to do with it would come to me eventually… Or maybe it wouldn’t…

One day, I picked it up and its head was turned to look at me over its shoulder. It seemed to be looking with such scorn and mistrust — like I’d done something wrong.

I was struck by the idea to use this “Hammerhead” figure to embody the paranoid mistrust of each other that the Pandemic had fostered — who was mask-wearing? Who was hand-sanitising? Who was social-distancing? Who was washing their food packaging? Who was leaving their parcels in their porch for 3-days? Who was opening public door handles with a special tool that they bought online? Who was pressing ‘public buttons’ in lifts, and at traffic lights, with their knuckle instead of their finger tip? (I still do, TBH). Who was least vigilant? Who was the weakest link? Who could really be trusted with my health, and with the health of my family and friends?

Before the Pandemic, we’d not thought to ask these questions…

I added blue nitrile gloves and techy breathing filters to underline the viral fear.”