Sacrificial Bodies (The Art of David Adey)

The definitive retrospective exploring the innovative and conceptual terrain of artist David Adey

Published to accompany Oceanside Museum’s 2026 exhibition Sacrificial Bodies, this comprehensive survey celebrates the first few decades of David Adey’s artistic exploration. Known for his myriad art forms that span a wide range of concepts and material—from ceramic, neon, custom electronics, raw meat, cast resin, cut and dissected photos, laser-cut paper, wood carved with firearms, drywall screws, human excrement, video, installation, laser cut acrylic, 3D scanning, 3D modeling, 3D printing, CNC routing, public art, and more—Adey invites reflection on a conceptual thread that ties his body of work together. The common thread of “sacrificial bodies” serves as a point of entry for each piece, taking on a variety of meanings, from religion and spirituality to science and technology, from the impact of advertising on our perception of our own bodies to themes of mortality and the existential quandary of the human experience. This monograph traces Adey’s evolution through material, process, and philosophy, revealing a career defined by experimentation, provocation, and spiritual inquiry.

This comprehensive survey of the artists’ work includes:

• A rich collection of installation photographs from museum and gallery exhibitions, featuring the artist’s multimedia works, collages, and sculptures

• An exploration of themes such as celebrity, consumerism, identity, spirituality, and deep time is brought to life through materials like pins, paper, ceramics, and neon

• Behind-the-scenes photographs documenting the creative process

• Insightful essays by renowned art critic Robert L. Pincus, gallerist and curator Mark Quint, and art historians Lauren Buscemi and G. James Daichendt
  
  Perfect for fans of Damien Hirst, Barbara Kruger, Ai Weiwei, Janine Antoni, and Jeff Koons.