Trained in the socialist realist tradition, figurative sculptor Andrian Melka has long been drawn to sculpting powerful, athletic figures that celebrate the idealised human form, then in 2021, he was commissioned to sculpt a statue of Rudolf Nureyev.
Through photoshoots with other Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers, Melka became interested in their diversity of body types. His exhibition Ballet Unveiled: Sculpting Strength and Vulnerability contains more than 20 sculptures inspired by Royal Ballet dancers, including Matthew Ball, Mayara Magri, Steven McRae, Fumi Kaneko and more. A percentage of sales will be donated to the Royal Ballet and Opera.
It can be seen from 23 May to 1 June at Tomasso, 67–68 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6NY.