NICOLAS AFRICANO

Nicolas Africano rose to prominence in New York in the late 1970s and early 80s, and still has a devoted following. Major museums have added his work to their permanent collections, including MOMA, the Met, and the Whitney.

"I have chosen to confine myself to the simplest of means, both in terms of material and subject, and in the end I want the simplest outcome," says Africano.  Africano's sculptures are all based on studies of his wife Rebecca. She's often naked or sometimes her sculpture is covered in a cloth dress. Some viewers might at first see a resemblance to the work of Edgar Degas.

Africano started out as a poet, then became interested in drawing work to accompany the poetry. Over time the visual art became more important and the writing less so. But still the influence of writing remains.