Lou Posner: The Interface Between Life and Art
Metalheads depicts two young people, Perry and Kama Elise (then known as Vicki), who posed for Posner in his Connecticut studio. Both were experiencing homelessness when he befriended them.
Years later, Kama recalled how Posner treated them with kindness and dignity, welcoming them into his studio for coffee and conversation. They talked about heavy-metal music and the sense of fellowship it provided for young people who often felt misunderstood. Posner also encouraged Perry's interest in drawing, offering thoughtful criticism and encouragement.
The painting combines carefully observed figures with an imaginative background containing buzzsaws, a skull, and other unsettling forms. Posner took artistic liberties with his subjects, something Kama remembered with amusement: her boots actually had flat heels, and Perry ordinarily wore nothing but black.
For Kama, the experience of posing was memorable not simply because of the painting but because of the artist's humanity. She recalled his ability to see people as they were, without judging their circumstances. Posner deliberately left the painting's meaning open to interpretation. In his own words:
“There is a story behind this painting, but whatever symbols you see or whatever message you get is fine. There is no one interpretation of this painting.”