Nicolas Deshayes, Composizione, 2018

Glazed ceramic with hand painting. 
40 x 28 x 0.9 cm
Series of 12, each unique. 
Accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.

This series of unique editions have been produced for Nottingham Contemporary by Nicolas Deshayes. 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'. 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.

Please note, that this is a series of 12, each edition is unique and hand painted detail will differ on each edition.