The pared-down linear nature of Head reveals Geoffrey Clarke's interest in tribal art during the early 1950s. The artist's time spent in the British Museum studying tribal objects and this complemented the influence of Picasso's simplified iron sculpture on Clarke's work at this time. These two artists are further associated through their shared technique of forged and welded iron.

The powerful directness of Head lies in the elongated figure's frontal gaze. The spherical eyes and pyramidal nose protrude from the upper face below which an open mouth juts out at the end of a tube emanating from the central spine of the figure. This important work illustrates Clarke's success in representing Man as an organic, abstracted form.