I’d seen photographs of Ron Mueck’s astonishing sculpture Boy, but as with any objet d’art worth a damn, it has to be seen in person.

The success of Boy is the range of emotions it inspires. People clustered around the gigantic child, each one feeling some distinct mix of fascination, absurd humor, and sublime terror.

By nature, a young boy inspires thoughts of curiosity and playfulness, and all were reflected in the faces of the tots who stared and pointed up at the crouching young behemoth.

But beyond a certain age, the partly sinister look in Boy‘s eyes trumps all innocence thoughts.

It’s as if at any moment, this Boy might – just for kicks – grab a huge magnifying glass and reduce you to cinders as he would an unsuspecting ant.