'XXX' is Des Hughes' first presentation in our current home in Mayfair. Adopting what was traditionally Georgian gentlewomen's work, Hughes presents a series of cross-stitches or "samplers" to which he adds choice song lyrics or anachronistic turns of phrase. They continue to expand upon his unique vocabulary that he is able to draw upon as a means to express a brand of wry humour, and which is also seen in his cast sculptures and watercolor drawings. His art tenderly acknowledges mid 20th–century artistic movements but also the outlook of 16th and 17th–century funereal paintings and sculptures, to whose sombre world view of the transience of life, the futility of pleasure and the certainty of death Des suggests we wilfully surrender.

Des Hughes is currently exhibiting at Pallant House, Chichester alongside his partner Clare Woods in 'The Sleepers'. He  just had a solo exhibition 'Stretch Out and Wait' at The Hepworth Wakefield (which ended last weekend) and made a public commission on the streets of Wellington, New Zealand. He had solo shows at Buchmann Galerie, Berlin; Ancient & Modern (our previous gallery name), and in the small collections room at Nottingham Contemporary; and has participated in group shows at CAPC Bordeaux, Henry Moore Foundation, Camden Arts Centre, Tate Britain and New Art Centre, Salisbury. In 2010 he had a solo presentation at frieze art fair, London and exhibited "Angry Pins" in the sculpture park the following year. His work is in the Arts Council Collection, Manchester City Art Gallery, The Whitworth Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and the David Roberts Foundation.