Nicolas Deshayes, Composizione, 2018

This series of unique editions have been produced for Nottingham Contemporary by Nicolas Deshayes on the occasion of the galleries 10th anniversary.

Each ceramic work was hand-made by Deshayes in a town in the province of Venice that specialises in the production of ornamental platters: Bacchanal vessels that are exuberantly clad with dripping fruit, vegetables, and fish. Composizione features an arrangement of octopus tentacles laid out on a piece of cloth. A cross between a chef's chopping board, Assyrian relief, musical score, and 'Shui-mo' drawing.

The edition is part of an ongoing series by Deshayes featuring octopus as a motif to explore the materiality of malleability, slipperiness, desire, petroleum extraction and the 'below-surface'.

This is a series of 12, each edition is unique and hand painted detail will differ on each edition.

All profits raised from the sale of this limited-edition work support Nottingham Contemporary’s free programme of exhibitions, educational activities and research programmes.

Nicolas Deshayes (B. 1983) is a French born, London-based sculptor. His work explores industrial processes and materials of today and represents an enjoyment in material.

If you have a question about this or any of our Artists' Editions, please contact the gallery directly here