Reclining Nude I

‘Reclining Nude I’ marks a turning point in Kevin Francis Gray’s practice as a sculptor. Moving away from figuration and classicism, the larger-than-life ‘Reclining Nude I’ steered his new body of work into an exploration of the materiality of marble. While her form echoes the reclining nude form well-known from the likes of Matisse, Gray is seeking to push the limits of the stone and contemporise ancient materials and stone-carving techniques. The result is an art historical trope that has been brought into the 21st century and invites the viewer to engage with the sculpture much more intimately, confidently and physically.