Dangerous Liaisons is one of a series of sculptures by Philip Jackson based on the
mask and inspired by the Maschera Nobile of 17th and 18th century Venice.
This elegant costume hid the identity and gender of its wearer, allowing him or her
to go about the city unrecognised, and enabling intrigues, vendettas and love affairs
to take place without fear of discovery.

Jackson describes his work as 'a sculpture about body language and the interaction
between two people. It portrays two people sitting on a bench in deep conversation.
One is discernibly male, the other discernibly female, although this is understood only
by gesture and pose. They take no account of the viewer; their concentration is on
each other. The viewer, however, must determine what secrets are flowing between them
– what dangerous liaison is taking place.'

Philip Jackson has undertaken many public and private commissions, including
sculptural portraits of Dame Felicity Lott and Baroness Thatcher.