Helen Altman’s Creepy Skull Sculptures are Made from Grains, Herbs and Spices

Artist <a href="http://helenaltman.com/" target="_blank">Helen Altman</a>'s skull sculptures are symbols of death made with some of life's greatest pleasures. The Texas-based artist crafts <a href="http://inhabitat.com/maskull-lasserre-painstakingly-carves-creepy-sculptures-into-everyday-objects/" target="_blank">human-sized skulls</a> from organic materials such as spices, plants and flowers. Both beautiful and haunting, the skulls are designed to be hung from the wall with metal hooks, appearing as if they were trophies or prizes.

Altman’s sculptures are formed by simply <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cute-and-colorful-lamp-shades-upcycle-plastic-bags-and-sawdust/" target="_blank">mixing organic material with glue</a>, and then pressing into a mould.

A variety of colorful elements are <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cardboard-safari-peace-love-and-taxidermy/" target="_blank">transformed into “bone.”</a> Dried green bamboo strips are twisted and folded into eye sockets. Fennel seeds group together, resembling a skull crawling with flesh hungry bugs. Dark poppy seeds create a skull that looks as if it were that of a victim of a fire.

Altman also uses other edibles such as millet, roses, Anise star seeds, pressed mung beans and glutinous rice. Each spice and flower creates an entirely different color, effect and texture.

The artist uses the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/scott-campbell-carves-skull-out-of-11000-of-us-currency/" target="_blank">skull shape</a> to evoke different feelings- the roses evoke the Victorian romanticism of death, bamboo calls to mind the natural fact of death, and some of the other seeds evoke decay.

Aside from a rainbow of colors, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/amazing-skulls-made-from-carefully-carved-pieces-of-fruit/" target="_blank">skull sculptures </a>also create an aromatic experience. When the entire collection of skulls was displayed together in 2010 at New York’s <a href="http://www.madmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Museum of Art and Design</a>, visitors were hit with the calming smell of spices when entering the gallery. Like potpourri, the aroma of the spiced skulls intermingle, adding a new sensory experience to the sculptural installation.

Altman’s skulls sculptures uniquely balance the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/wim-delvoyes-creepy-stained-glass-windows-are-made-from-recycled-x-rays/" target="_blank">symbolism of death</a> with her use of organic materials- and a contrasting pleasant sense of smell.