Published on the occasion of Richard Deacon’s solo exhibition at Ikon in 2007, his first museum show in the UK since 1999.

Deacon remains pre-eminent amongst contemporary British artists, at once an extremely influential figure and refreshing through his constant innovation.

His work is disarmingly straightforward, yet simultaneously embodies a smart knowingness.

He acknowledges the tradition of his art form – sometimes alluding to the work of other artists – but is not hidebound by it.

This major presentation of new and recent work comprises sculptural pieces in ceramic and steamed wood, wall and pencil drawings, and crucial for our understanding of this exhibition, a collection of newspapers.

The catalogue also documents Deacon’s off-site work; bricks made from brightly coloured plastic off-cuts set into a pavement near Ikon.