Website: nickysanderson.co.uk
Instagram: nicky_sanderson
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 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 restoration and 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 Admiralty Marine Charts to reflect the rising sea levels, history of place and marine biology of the 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, flora and algae is an integral part of my practice and can manifest in hangings on muslin or paper, handmade collaged papers, or combined with paint on canvas and paper.
December 2024
Solo Show, Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
November 2024 elected Professional Member of Visual Arts Scotland
Dòchas, Edinburgh Printmakers Members' Show
Winter Printmaking Show, Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright
September 2024, Artwalk Porty, Art House exhibitor
Art Tutor for Wild at Art Scotland Ltd. on Iona; Lewis and Harris; and Scottish Island Sailing excursion
2023
Connect + Grow, Cass Art, Glasgow, SSA Peer Mentoring show
Journey, Edinburgh Printmakers Members’ Show
Resident Artist at Porto & Fi Bistro, Edinburgh
4 Stories, group show, Coburg House Gallery, Edinburgh
Artwalk Porty, Art House exhibitor
Tidelines, 2 Person Show Whitespace Gallery, Edinburgh
2022
SSA 30 x 30 members show
Kinship, Edinburgh Printmakers members’ show
Small Is Beautiful, Coburg House Gallery, Edinburgh featuring small paintings on marine chart.
Artwalk Porty,Solo Art House
5 Person Show at Coburg House Gallery, featuring work based on the islands of the Firth of Forth.
2021
Uig Open, online show curated by Hulabhaig, Isle of Lewis
Solace, Edinburgh Printmakers members show
Perspectives from Home, 3 Person Show at Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright
2020
Flow, online show with Visual Arts Scotland
August 2019: Tutor for Wild at Art vacations, Lewis and Harris
April 2019: Group show at Union Gallery, Edinburgh
Jan - March 2019: Scottish Art History trainer for Scottish Tourist Guides Association.
October 2018: Distillations, group show Art Club Gallery, Edinburgh
September 2018: Painting tutor for Arran Visual Arts, Isle of Arran
August 2018: Edinburgh Festival Exhibition, Coburg House, Leith.
Water colour tutor for Wild at Art vacations, Lewis and Harris.
September 2017: Water colour tutor for Wild at Art vacations, Lewis and Harris.
August 2017: Edinburgh Festival Exhibition with Encompassed Collective, Coburg House Art Gallery
Jan - March 2017: Scottish Art History trainer for Scottish Tourist Guides Association
December 2016: Coburg House Gallery, Edinburgh, Christmas Exhibition
June 2017: Completed 1 year Critical Professional Development Course at Leith School of Art, Edinburgh
Water colour tutor for Wild at Art vacations, Lewis and Harris.
August 2016: Print and Collage tutor for Arran Visual Arts, Isle of Arran.
August 2015: Painting and Collage tutor for Wild at Art vacations, Edinburgh
Jan - March 2015: Scottish Art History trainer for Scottish Tourist Guides Association
Feb 2009 - ongoing: Acquired studio at Coburg House in Leith, Edinburgh. Currently participating in twice yearly Open Studios and pursuing personal painting projects, with a view to exhibiting. Running Drawing and Painting workshops from studio.
June 2007: Artist Residency at Catterline, Kincardineshire, in ‘The Watchie’ made famous by the Scottish painter Joan Eardley in the 1960s.
2004 – 2010: Running small art tourism business called artEscapes. This involved organising accommodation and itineraries as well as art tutoring/demonstrating in beautiful places abroad and in the UK, often with a strong historical or cultural connection.
2002 - 2003: Summer Course art teacher at George Watson's College, Edinburgh
2001- ongoing: Professional Member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, Blue Badge Guide for Scotland, guiding actively during summer months in English and Spanish, with a particular interest in art, design and architecture.
2008: Qualified as an art specialist guide to the Contemporary Art Collection in the Scottish Parliament.
2005: Qualified as a guide in The Scottish Parliament.
1995 – 2006: Teacher of Art (drawing and painting and calligraphy) in Community Education (20 hours per week class contact time September to May) for Edinburgh City Council.
1995: Advanced Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE, University of Salamanca). Fluent Spanish speaker.
1994 – 1996: Studied calligraphy at Edinburgh College of Art
1982 – 1994: Working as freelance artist (printmaker and painter) various exhibitions in Mexico and Scotland, including one person show at the Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. Work in various collections, including Art in Healthcare.
1981 – 1982: 1 year Bursary from Mexican Government to study Art in Mexico City.
1979 – 81: Postgraduate 2 year Higher Diploma in Fine Art (Printmaking) at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London.
1975 –1979: Diploma in Art (Printmaking), Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen. Painting residency at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath. Painting prize visit to San Gimigniano, Tuscany