The brilliant NewBloodArt Master Nicola Wiltshire has been awarded the 2022 Little Van Gogh residency! This residence is awarded by Little Van Gogh Europe, an organisation curating “office art exhibitions promoting the most talented emerging artists in workplaces across Europe.” It will see Nicola hosted at the Spud work space in the heart of New Forest National Park, with the opportunity to further her practice.
Congratulations to Nicola on this latest recognition; we look forward to what’s next for this talented artist, who we now reiterate as investable. (You can see our previous investment tip here.) She has already been featured in the Guardian 2017 as “one to watch”, had 4 solo shows, been featured in residencies and awards, and been selected as one of 12 artists to take part in Dundee’s Reformation Street Art Project, to mark the opening of the city’s new V&A Design museum.
Little Van Gogh’s statement:
Nicola Wiltshire is an artist who creates bold, colourful paintings on fabric that are inspired by the rich heritage of oil painting. Her practice combines centuries-old traditions, such as making her own oil paint and pastels, with a contemporary approach. Nicola paints on coloured and patterned fabric – instead of canvas – for the dynamic and tactile foundation it lays.
comes framed
Nicola says of this opportunity:
I still can’t believe that the sunsets, woodlands and fields from my application will become a reality. Knowing I will have time to slow down and explore the beautiful New Forest is already inspiring me, so a massive thank you to all the judges for seeing something in my work. My imagination is buzzing.
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And Sarah comments on this latest development in Nicola’s trajectory, who started showing with the gallery after graduating in 2015:
Her style of working is immediately identifiable and yet uniquely her own, in the very materiality of the fabrics she selects to stretch and paint on. As with the pigments she chooses and grinds to make her oil paint, reflecting dedication and discernment at every stage.
Her subject, as one would hope to see in a serious contemporary artist has evolved over time, through portraits, landscapes and her trademark potted – plant paintings, the latter which are moments of pure joy. Another notable fact about Nicola, which I have the utmost respect, for is her unshakeable dedication to her studio practice. She has not wavered from her commitment to her work and deserves all the acclaim, support and success she is now receiving.
You can read our interview, A Day in the Studio of Nicola Wiltshire, where the artist discusses her influences, routines – including mixing her own paints – and inspirations. An excerpt:
I’d say my approach to painting is very cyclical. I work in small series, with each collection feeding into the next. The still lifes are very pared back, so there is nowhere to hide from bad colour choices. The landscapes require depth and movement, or they just feel like a series of colourful shapes. And the portraits need all of this, but with stronger storytelling. It’s all one.
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More about Nicola Wiltshire:
Nicola Wiltshire – Studio insights
Working small