About OozeDes
Discover the story, craft, and personal history behind 52, an autobiographical series of hand-sculpted ceramic sneakers exploring memory, identity, and urban culture in Bristol.
The artist behind OozeDes
Desmond Masters, working under the artist moniker OozeDes, draws his name from the classic Bristolian greeting "Ooze 'ee?" ("Who's he?"). Based in Bristol, he works exclusively through hand-sculpted clay sneakers, turning footwear into a tactile visual archive of real human experiences. Each piece preserves pivotal moments of joy, grief, resilience, and personal transformation.
Roots in movement and subculture
Deeply rooted in hip-hop, graffiti, BMX, and skateboarding culture, Desmond's path was shaped early on as a professional b-boy. After an injury brought an end to his breaking career, he redirected his kinetic creativity into the meticulous craft of ceramic sculpture, capturing the stories etched into the soles of the shoes that carried him through life.
Community, therapy, and youth work
Beyond the studio, Desmond has dedicated his professional life to supporting young people. Having worked with youth charities such as Fairbridge, The Prince’s Trust, Off The Record and 224 Youth Zone in south Bristol, he currently serves as a children’s wellbeing therapist. His artistic practice runs parallel to his therapeutic work, reflecting empathy, lived narrative and community resilience.
"Shoes are our silent companions. They hold where we’ve been, the ground we’ve walked, and the journeys that shape who we become."
Desmond Masters (OozeDes)