Nick Holmes
Nick Holmes
Nick Holmes

Nick's likes to think of us all as flies stuck in the amber of history.
If that history is presented in painting, it reveals the paths we followed, the decisions taken; the Beatles or the Stones, Hollywood or New Wave, sandals or trainers. What's also revealed is our identity - our professions, beliefs, sexuality and politics.
Nick's paintings show where he has come from. They fall into 3 broad categories: (1) LOST FILMS, LOST MUSIC, LOST LITERATURE in which he imagines artworks for records, books and films which got lost or never happened, (2) STATE OF THE ART in which Nick thinks about art and its past in order to look into its future, and (3) IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE in which Nick attempts to find an inclusive abstract language.
The painting process begins with images printed or drawn on an acetate sheet. Nick projects them using an OHP and paint directly onto canvas using acrylics and emulsions for their fast-drying properties.
The canvases are constructed with a square edge to be exhibited without frames, and have a depth of 4–5 cms.
A parallel series of constructions mixes similar sources in freer and more flexible arrangements.

Background

1961-66          National Diploma in Art & Design, Winchester School of Art
1969-2000     Teacher of art, graphics & photography in secondary/tertiary education
1983             CNAA Diploma in Film Studies, Derbyshire College of HE
1987             MA in Film Studies, Sheffield Hallam University
1997             MA in Fine Art, Manchester Metropolitan University
2003             MA in Fine Art, Sunderland University

Exhibitions

2009             Spring Show, Robinson-Gay, Hexham
‘Quattro’, The Lamplight Centre, Stanley, Durham
Fusion Gallery, The Customs House, South Shields                 
2008             Mixed exhibition, Del Veinte Galeria, Cantabria
‘Quattro’, Moot Hall, Hexham
‘More Questions than Answers’, Bailiffgate Gallery, Alnwick
2007             ‘Prelude’, Lifka Gallery, Saltburn, N Yorks
‘Information’, Lautieri Moores Open, Cork Street, London
‘Moving Images (2)’, The Irving Gallery, Berwick upon Tweed
Red Box Design Group, Newcastle
'How do you see people?', The University Gallery, Newcastle
'Moving Images', The Space Gallery & The Maltings Arts Centre, Berwick upon Tweed
2006             ‘Shangri-La’, Queen’s Hall, Hexham
‘The Human Zoo’, Northumbria University (2nd prize winner, Cravens Art prize)
‘Up Close and Personal’, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle
Christmas Exhibition, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2005             The People Show, Northumbria University
Merz Gallery, Edinburgh
‘Borealis’, Flowers East, London
Red Box Gallery, Newcastle