materiality and ornament

Nick Cave, Hew Locke, and Woody De Othello all use elements of the decorative in pieces that speak to histories of communication, violence, sentimentality, visibility, and legibility. In these three artists’ work, the medium conveys these themes and ideas as much as representation does. Hew Lock uses tchotchke-esque materials with histories of trade, empires, and movements, while Woody De Othello manipulates clay to take bloated form to everyday objects. Nick Cave’s sculptural Soundsuit is brandished with beautiful objects, colors, and materials, while protecting the wearer.