Rhaxma (A Sweet Tempered Woman)

Medium: original, hand-finished ceramic sculpture

Sculpture dimension: approximately 20”high x 18”wide x 9”deep 

The intriguing ceramic sculptures present an innovative marriage of 15th Century Benin and 18th Century French Nouveau, creating what Woodrow Nash has coined "African Nouveau".

Nash's sculptures transmit human delicacies and inner harmony. Examining the contemporary male and female physique, he explores the body's natural form and mythology. Incorporating various styles and techniques utilizing stoneware, earthenware, terracotta or porcelain, Nash's work is fired electronically, pit fired or via a "raku" effect - creating an "African Nuveau" trademark that's solely his own.

While the images are African, in general, the concept is 15th century Benin with the graceful, slender proportions and long, undulating lines of 18th century Art Nouveau. In his pieces, Nash achieves his goal of integrating expression, complex symbolism and sophisticated aesthetics to yeild striking embodiments of the human soul and sensuality.

The serial nature of the works -- an inspired composition of torsos, sculptures and timeless objects of contemplation -- recall a primitive minimalist whose relentless repetitiveness produces extraordinary and mysterious structures. 

Inside these bold bodies dwell the spirits of African kings, queens, warriors and kinsmen.

Today, the work of Woodrow Nash is collected internationally. His collectors' demographics have no racial boundaries, and include everyone from working professionals to affluent sports figures and entertainment superstars.