MANCHESTER, UK.- The Manchester Art Gallery presents The Sleep of Reason: Stephen Dixon, on view through Monday 30 May 2005. Stephen Dixon's Lavishly decorated ceramics make scathing political commentaries on the world in which we live.

Drawing on rich English satirical tradition from Hogarth to Spitting Image, he creates complex works questioning the ethics of our times. The themes of global politics and the balance of power, monarchy and national identity, environmental destruction and the 'march of progress' are explored in Dixon's powerful works. The exhibition takes its name from Francisco de Goya's etching on nightmares The Sleep of Reason produces Monsters

This is Dixon's most important show to date, bringing together a new body of work with key pieces from the past 20 years. It is both a retrospective view of the artist's career and a look back at the changing political climate of the last two decades.

An accompanying catalogue and related merchandise are on sale in the Gallery shop. Supported by Arts Council England, Manchester Metropolitan University,The GAEIA Partnership and Arts & Business New Partners.