Forerunners: Sculptor, Nicolas Africano

Nicolas Africano is an American artist whose body of work melds personal experience with historical references, expanding on the narrative that built his reputation in the 1970's. His cast glass figure sculptures reflect an air of classicism in their stance, posture, dress and mien. He utilizes the lost wax technique, a method usually reserved for bronze, to cast figures ranging from 20 inches tall to life size. Because he often works with opalescent glass, the figures have a dazzling translucency. The primary subject of Africanos most recent sculptures over the past several years has been his wife and muse, Rebecca. He often sculpts her in a state of inward reflection, yet there is a sense that she is also looking outward.

Above: 1-4:Themes and Variations: The Garbo Figures, cast glass (and granite cube); 5-6: Untitled 2013 and 2016, cast glass; 7-8: Twins, 2017, cast glass

Africano is often associated as a New Image artist, a loose historical category which also includes Susan Rothenberg, Neil Jenney, and Robert Longo. His work is included in the public collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art NY; MOMA NY, and DeYoung Museum, San Francisco, among others. He is represented by Nancy Hoffman Gallery.

Photos: Nancy Hoffman Gallery.

– Christina Spearman