Details
| First Name | Nicky |
| Last Name | Sanderson |
| Username | nickysanderson |
| Website | |
| Region | Edinburgh & The Lothians |
| Disciplines | Drawing, Illustration, Painting, Printmaking |
| Themes | Abstract, Environment, Landscape, Site-specific, Narratives |
Statement
| Statement | I am interested in the elemental qualities of land and sea, and the histories they can reveal. My practice examines island landscape, coasts and seas of Scotland, focusing on marine ecologies and species, as well as the archaeology and geology of the chosen location. Currently I am investigating how best to achieve this in the context of climate change and to encourage a respect for conservation of our environment. It is the overall meaning of a subject which is most important to me, whether it is the sea, an island or a beach, a mountain or a peat bog, I aspire to give that place a voice in the present, while acknowledging the past. I begin with research so I can understand the essence and substance of the subject, be it layers of human history, cultural references or geological time. The work is revealed in layers of colour and surface texture. Through the medium of screen printing I have recently repurposed a collection of used Admiralty Marine Charts to reflect the rising sea levels, history of place and marine biology of the Scottish coasts. I strive to see beneath the surface to celebrate the species that survive here but that face many threats imposed by human intervention and climate change. By training and inclination I am a printmaker, but always alert to other methods to achieve the depth of meaning and material substance I seek. Direct interaction with soil, sea, plants and algae is an integral part of my practice and can manifest in hangings on muslin or paper, hand-made collaged papers, or combined with paint on canvas and paper. |
Biography
| Biography | My studio is at Coburg House Studios and Gallery in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Upcoming events November 2024 – Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh, solo show Winter Printmaking Exhibition at the Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 2023 December – March 17th 2024 – Edinburgh Printmakers members’ show – Journey November 18 – 29, 2023 – Connect + Grow , Cass Art, Glasgow, exhibition of SSA members from the Peer Mentoring Programme 2022-23 Recently – invited artist at Porto & Fi, Newhaven, Edinburgh October – “4 Stories”, 4 artists show at Coburg House Gallery, Edinburgh (including Mary Walters SSA, Jacqueline Higgs SSA) September – Art House in Artwork Porty, Edinburgh May – “Tidelines”, 2 Person Show at Whitespace Gallery, Edinburgh (with Laura Magliveras) 2022 December – Edinburgh Printmakers Members’ Show – Kinship November – Small is Beautiful, small works show, Coburg House Art Gallery September – Art House in Artwalk Porty, Portobello, Edinburgh May – 5 Person Show at Coburg House Art Gallery 2021 Uig Open, on line exhibition, curated by Hulabhaig, Isle of Lewis. 3 Person Show ‘Perspectives from Home’ at Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright 2020 FLOW Visual Arts Scotland 2019 Encompassed, New Work, Group show at The Union Gallery, Edinburgh, featuring paintings and collages inspired by recent travel in Myanmar 2018 Distilled, Group show at the Art Club Gallery, Edinburgh Art Walk Porty, artist house Deluge, Group Show at Edinburgh Printmakers 2017 A Land Unfolding, Coburg House Art Gallery Edinburgh Festival group show with Encompassed Winter Exhibition, The Meffan, Forfar 2009 – to date Coburg House Gallery, Leith, Edinburgh: Christmas Shows and Open Studios twice yearly 2013 The Steading Gallery, Kelso 1995 Aberdeen Art Gallery Gray’s School of Art Former Students 1985 – 1986 Galería Tlalpuente, Mexico City 1984 Greenwich Theatre Art Gallery, London, solo show 1984 Anglo Mexican Institute, London, solo show 1983 Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh, solo show 1982 Instituto de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, solo show 1980 The Henderson Gallery, Edinburgh COLLECTIONS Work in the collection of Art in Healthcare, Scotland And in many private British collections including: Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland Alistair Darling, Lord Darling of Roulanish Sir Mark Jones, former director of the Victoria & Albert Museum Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Work in private collections in Spain and Mexico AWARDS & RESIDENCIES 2022 – 23 Admitted to the SSA Peer Mentoring Scheme, funded by Creative Scotland 2007 Painting Residency at Catterline, ‘The Watchie’ studio 1981 – 1982 1 year Bursary from Mexican Government to study Experimental Printmaking in Mexico City 1977 Painting residency at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath 1976 Painting prize visit to San Gimigniano, Tuscany ACADEMIC RESUMÉ 2016 – 2017 Critical Professional Development course, Leith School of Art 1994 – 1996 Calligraphy studies, Edinburgh College of Art 1979 – 1981 Postgraduate 2 year Higher Diploma in Fine Art (Printmaking), Slade School of Fine Art, London 1975 – 1979 Diploma in Art (Printmaking), Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen TEACHING EXPERIENCE Currently employed as tutor for Wild at Art Ltd. 2015 – 2022
2004 – 2010 Joint director of a small art tourism business called artEscapes. This involved organising accommodation and itineraries as well as art tutoring/ demonstrating abroad and in the UK, often with a strong historical or cultural connection. 1995 – 2006 Teacher of Art (drawing & painting and calligraphy) in Community Education (20 hours per week class contact time September to May) for Edinburgh City Council 2002 – 2003 Summer Course art teacher at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh Member of the Society of Scottish Artists, Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh Printmakers |