Lot 99: NICHOLAS MAY B. 1962

oil, metallic powder and acrylic on canvas, unframed

140 by 210cm., 55 by 82 1/2 in.

One of the brightest art stars of the early nineties with shows at PS1, New York, the Serpentine, ICA, London, Nicholas May was a part of the Victoria Miro stable along with Chris Ofili and Peter Doig. May was the subject of a great deal of early critical acclaim which led to sell-out shows with his work being bought by the Tate, the Arts Council, the Saatchi Collection, the Contemporary Art Society and the European Parliament. His recent works have expanded and developed the themes of chance and instability that are the hallmark of his art. Using a variety of apparently incompatible media, such as varnish, enamel paint and oil set against deep monochromatic grounds, the resultant images are intensely rich and delicate.