50 x £50

Simply constructed with a minimal colour range, the figure in Nettle Grellier's painting appears as an allegory for nature or the environment. Whilst the title's play on words adds an element of black humour to an otherwise world-threatening situation.

"I have recently been inspired by ‘Tronies’ 16th-17th Century Dutch ‘Face’ paintings, which are not the same as commissioned portraits, the subject of a Tronie is anonymous and a vehicle for the artist to show off or work out their painting skills, including use of light, unusual or exaggerated facial expressions and flamboyant costumes. A very famous example of a Tronie is Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer". - Nettle Grellier, 2020.

Nettle Grellier makes figurative paintings that echo the dualities of human interaction; of tenderness with discomfort and of intimacy with ignorance. Often her figures are set in vividly coloured landscapes that are dry and empty, reminiscent of time spent living in Southern Spain, whilst nodding to a future in the face of environmental crisis.

Using visual motifs such as grubby feet or bees, Nettle plays with the focus of the subjects and their connection to the surroundings. In her work there is often a disparity between the figures and the landscapes they have been placed in.

Accolades

Fine Art Painting (BA Hons), University Of Brighton, 2015

Awards: Finalist of the Delphian Open Call 2019. Shortlisted for ACS Studio Prize 2019. Finalist for the Hopper Prize 2019. Finalist for ArtPiquers Award 2019.

Solo Exhibitions: Easy Peelers, ThatArt Gallery, Bristol 2019.

Selected Exhibitions: Delphian Open Call, The Printspace, London 2019. Nettle Grellier, George Lloyd-Jones and Joshua Raz, Unit London and Christie’s London, London 2019. Unit Uncovers, Unit London, London 2019. Rude Assembly Curated, Above the Tool Shed, Sydney 2019.

You can see more of Nettle Grellier's artwork at her website and Instagram.