Happy Scrubs

Nicola Wiltshire observes the world through her paintings; using colour, line, gesture and shape in a way that emphasises the feeling of a place, person or experience. Images that are at once familiar and dreamlike emerge through a language of bold charcoal lines, intense handmade oil colour and an abstraction of form into playful, calming and appealing shapes. Snapshots of walks, domestic interiors and people sleeping are amongst the themes used to explore universal experiences such as journeys, silence, the seasons and archetypes. Nicola’s work begins when stretching coloured and patterned fabric over a wooden frame, before priming selected areas for painting. She draws in charcoal and makes her own oil paint and soft pastels using centuries-old techniques. Each of these elements is an important feature of her work that builds up a materials-focused practice that is a colourful and poetic celebration of art’s history.

Nicola graduated in 2009 with a BA in Fine Art at University Of Westminster, London and an MFA with distinction in Art And Humanities at Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art And Design, Dundee. She has enjoyed successful sell out solo and group exhibitions throughout the UK including at the Royal Scottish Academy. The Guardian named Nicola as an “artist to watch”.

Call Of The Void translates from the French 'L'appel du vide', which describes the urge to jump from the edge of a precipice. The sensation is a common experience and is our innate survival instinct bucking against the temptation to become one with the void. 

The lines in front and behind the figure symbolise the feeling of being pulled and pushed towards the edge. The image is quite intentionally dreamlike, to create a universal quality to the painting. It portrays the artist's personal experience of lockdown. However it could be anything: the process of making a decision, falling asleep, moving towards a new phase, or taking a leap of faith. 

www.nicolawiltshire.com

@nicola_wiltshire