Trained in Interior and Textile Design, Nicki has been painting since 1998. Her chosen medium is encaustic (beeswax and damar resin).
Encaustic is an ancient and enduring technique predating oil painting and was used by the Egyptians to decorate their sarcophagi.
Nicki began using encaustic from an ethical need to find an organic and sustainable medium.
The practice of working in hot wax presents the exciting yet demanding challenge of the constant metamorphosis of the medium via the heating and cooling process.
The multiple layering creates an enigmatic depth and translucency in the work, a luminosity not available through other mediums.
The chosen material and process itself play significant roles in the metaphoric formulation of the work. The evolving vocabulary sometimes blatant or often hidden in the works are clues that give deeper meaning to the content calling the viewer to question their own ethics or values.
Recent works have seen a move toward installation, a textile community project, ceramics, and the application of textiles in a 3D encaustic context.
Nicki currently works from her studio in the South Wairarapa and runs workshops throughout the North Island.
Awards
2001 – Morpeth Canaday Award – ‘Best Landscape’
2001 – Telecom Art Awards – Finalist (BOP)
2002 – Franklin Art Awards – ‘Contemporary Art Prize’
2011 – Wairarapa Review – ‘Highly Commended Award’
2013 – Auckland Easter Show – ‘Merit Award – Small Works’
2015 – Parkin Drawing Prize – Finalist
2016 – Paraparaumu Rotary Exhibition – ‘Best Abstract’
2011/13/15/17 – Wairarapa Review – Finalist
2012/14/16 – Wellington Review – Finalist
Residencies
2014/17 – Lochmara Lodge (Marlborough)
2015 – Earthskin (Muriwai)
2016 – Perrin Cottage (Muriwai)
Works available at
Parnell Gallery – Auckland
Art Bureau – Auckland
Ora Gallery – Wellington
NZ Academy of Fine Art – Wellington
Moko Artspace – Whitianga
Artel Gallery – Waikanae
Kotare Gallery – Greytown
Exhibitions
Solo
2011 ‘Moonlight and Magic’ – Greytown
2011 Brackenridge Spa Gallery – Martinborough
2012 ‘HOT STUFF’ – Cafe Deluxe, Wellington
2012 ‘Wax Works’ – Café Baobab, Wellington
2014 ’50 Shades of Green’ – Lochmara Lodge, Marlborough
2014 ‘Explorations’ – Village Art Shop, Greytown
2014 ‘Remember to Remember’ – Aratoi Museum of Art and History, Masterton
2015 Expressions Arts and Entertainment Ctre, U. Hutt
2015 Carterton Events Centre
2015 Featherston Kiwi Hall
Group
2009-2016 NZ Art Show
2012/16 Artbourne – Wellesley, Eastbourne
2013 Original Art Show, Auckland
2013/15 Timaru Plunket Show
2013 Bijou Eliot Design, New Plymouth
2013 Artrove, Wellington
2013-2017 Wai Art Show, Carterton
2014/15 Life Education Trust, Wellington
2014 Anderson Park, Southland
2015 Martinborough Contemporary Art Auction
2015 Nelson Expo
2015 Parkin Prize, Wellington
2015-18 Napier Girls High School
2016 St. Patrick’s High School, Wellington
2011/13/15/17 Wairarapa Review
2017 Peters Doig, Marlborough
2014/15/16 NZAFA, Wellington
2012/14/16 Wellington Regional Review
