The ceramic sculpture “Man and Pigeon” (2025) by Cesc Abad continues his exploration of masculinity, irony, and theatrical gesture. The piece measures 14 x 10 x 6.5 cm and is in excellent condition.
A nude male figure, with exaggerated features and red lips, sits on a cylindrical pedestal painted with black and colored brushstrokes. On his lap rests a pigeon with an orange beak, creating an intimate yet absurd interaction. The man’s wide-open mouth and tilted head suggest surprise, laughter, or a shout. This ambiguity makes the scene playful and unsettling at the same time.
Abad uses rough modeling and glossy glaze to heighten the expressiveness of the work. His approach highlights imperfection as an aesthetic choice, echoing the energy of outsider art and the intensity of neo-expressionism. The pigeon adds a symbolic layer: a traditional emblem of peace or purity, here transformed into a companion within a grotesque, almost comic situation.
As in much of his work, Abad redefines the male body as vulnerable and theatrical. The sculpture stages a paradox: tenderness and absurdity coexist, and humor becomes a tool to expose fragility.
