Dasha, a captivating new candle sculpture, destined to melt, by Urs Fischer

Cast entirely in wax, a wick at the top of her head will be lit, and the candle will slowly melt over the course of the exhibition. Additional wicks strategically placed on the figure will be lit until the sculpture is reduced to a pile of wax drippings.

Designed to serve as an unsettling reminder of mortality, Dasha is a reminder of the impermanence of life, beauty, and art.

Fischer began to produce candle sclupltures in the early 2000s, with a series of crudely rendered female nudes, standing upright or lounging in groups. After a period of sustained research into mold making and casting, he began to make more realistic figurative candles that could burn for several months at a time.

Dasha will be on view at Gagosian, London until 3 November.