Citizen is a sculptural portrait of humanity’s raw condition—unfinished yet deeply resonant. Gagnier works in Hydrocal plaster to emphasize both the physical weight and psychological substance of his subject, creating a figure that feels grounded in material reality while hinting at deeper emotional layers.

Concept & Interpretation

Rather than presenting an idealized citizen, Gagnier offers a portrait of the universal individual—marked by vulnerability, texture, and humanity. The work resonates with themes of identity, civic presence, and what we share as human beings: imperfect, tactile, and collectively sculpted by experience.

Context in Practice

Featured in exhibitions like the New York Artists Equity Association’s Citizens (Nov 2022–Jan 2023), Citizen continues Gagnier’s lifelong exploration of the human form—rooted in Renaissance tradition yet open to contemporary psychological complexity.

In an age where perfection is often sought in art and society, Citizen offers a refreshing counterpoint: a figure that is honest, tactile, and real. It’s a humble monument—an intimate reflection on what it means to belong, to stand, and to be seen.