History in the Making: Reflections on 2019

This work is part of a curated section of 10 artworks that look back on significant events in 2019. You can see more details on all the artwork in this series here. 

This pensive and emotional portrait is a reflection on the climate emergency of 2019 and was painted in the Cornish countryside by the UK artist Nettle Grellier.  

Simply constructed with a limited colour range, the figure in Nettle'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.

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.