Nao Matsunaga (b 1980, Osaka) lives and works in London. He makes sculptures from clay, wood, paint and other materials. Standing on the floor, against the wall or hanging from a rafter, his sculptures possess a dual nature between ceremonial and playful. The material contradictions of wood and clay, skilfully applied glazes and dabbed-on acrylic paint, natural earth pigments and a childlike palette of pinks and blues have brought attention to Matsunaga in multiple creative arenas spanning art, design and craft. Recent exhibitions include: Panta Rhei to Curtis LeMay, Token Art Center, Tokyo, Japan (2020); Deepcuts, Marsden Woo, London (2020); and Gillian Ayres, Rachel Jones, Nao Matsunga, New Art Centre, Salisbury, UK (2019).

The Outer Void, 2019, Ceramic, Porcelain, Underglaze pencil, 57 x 40 x 32cm

Still Wood Stand Time, 2017, Wood, Pigment, PVA, Pen, Pencil, 240 x 60 x 60cm.

Rototo, 2019, Glazed Ceramic, 60 x 70 x 55cm

Onetime Fountain, 2016, Glazed Ceramic, 49 x 24 x 18cm. Photographer: Phil Sayer

Into another world 3, 2021, Acrylic and pencil on Paper, 125 x 125cm. Photographer: Marco Godoy

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