Fiber Concrete & Stoneware Sculpture by Erling Tingkær, “Mand med maske”, 2012

“Mand med maske” (directly translated as Man with Mask) is a contemplative and quietly expressive sculpture by Danish artist Erling Tingkær, created in 2012. The seated figure—compact, introspective and gently whimsical—holds its legs close to the body, while the stylized, sculptural mask introduces a sense of mystery and duality.

Executed in Tingkær’s characteristic combination of fiber concrete and stoneware, the surface reveals a subtle, tactile texture that enhances the work’s emotional resonance. The contrast between the soft, rounded body and the more geometric mask reflects Tingkær’s longstanding fascination with character, mythology, and the ambiguous space between the human and the symbolic.

Tingkær has worked for over six decades across drawing, painting, bronze, ceramics, fiber concrete and public sculpture. His process is intuitive and material-driven, allowing each figure to emerge organically rather than being predetermined. "Mand med maske" is an excellent example of this approach — a piece that feels both grounded and poetic, modern yet timeless.

Read the full Erling Tingkær tale