Nicola Perkin

NICOLA PERKIN’S STATEMENT

STUDIO PRACTICE

A recurring theme in my paintings is my response to the Australian landscape, from the lines left by the tide on the sand to the vastness of the horizon. The influence of the view from my studio of the harbour is also evident with abstract references to the passing vessels and container ships.
As a migrant I have been overwhelmed by the view of the horizon and the space in Australia (having lived in suburban London, I only ever saw the horizon on our annual seaside holidays!) As a result the horizon has become a strong element in my painting.

My paintings are abstracted landscapes and I only paint in oils; using a limited palette of colours that relate to the landscape. Some works are heavily textured, echoing the texture in the landscape; others are built up layers of colour, where the fusion at the meeting point of the blocks of colour is the focal point.

There is a deliberate silence to my paintings, by presenting the viewer with space, the work attempts to engage the viewer. It is in our nature to fill that void, bringing our own interpretation to the viewing, remembering a similar journey or view.
I returned to formal art education as a mature student in 1999 and completed a Diploma in Fine Art at Hornsby TAFE. Following encouragement from one of the teachers there I went on to the University of Sydney, completing my BVA with Honours in 2004. There was a particular area of research that I was interested in pursuing regarding the use of digital images in contemporary art, so I completed my Masters of Visual Art at Sydney College of the Arts.
Since September 2005 I have had a studio at Headland Park and my studio is part of SPACE4ART, an artist run studio space for emerging artists housed in the former officers’ quarters (building 4) at Headland Park, Middle Head Road, Mosman. The heritage listed building has spectacular views across Sydney Harbour and an adjacent café.
I work in my studio at SPACE4ART most days during the week and visitors are welcome or alternatively an appointment for the weekend can be made.

NICOLA PERKIN

Born London

STUDIES

1991 Advanced Certificate Art and Design, London

1996 Black and White Photography, Hawthorn Secondary College

1998 Certificate in Art Photography, North Sydney Institute of TAFE, Hornsby

1999-2000 Diploma in Fine Arts, North Sydney Institute of TAFE, Hornsby

2001-2004 BA Visual Arts (Hons) Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney

2005 – 2007 Master Visual Arts, University of Sydney

PRIZES

1996 Award for Outstanding Achievement Schreiber Photographics

1998 Award for Highest Pass, Certificate in Art Photography

1999 Merit Award, Highest Pass – Year 1, Diploma in Fine Arts

2000 Merit Award, Highest Pass – Year 2, Diploma in Fine Arts

2000 Highly Commended, Ron Hogan Student Painting Prize, North Sydney Institute of TAFE

SOLO EXHIBITION

2008 On the edge; recent works by Nicola Perkin
Landship Gallery, Headland Park

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2009 Change, Toyota Community Exhibition, Melbourne

2008 Middle Head Artists, Headland Park Studios
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
Middle Head Artists, Art House Hotel, Sydney
Space4art 08, Landship Gallery, Headland Park

2007 Art in the Open, Headland Park Studios
Photo 5, Canon’s online photographic exhibition
Harbour, Landship Gallery, Headland Park
Space4art 07, Landship Gallery, Headland Park
Frances Keevil Gallery

2006 Headland Park Studios
Space4art Studios
Between surface and substance, Mary Place Gallery
Frances Keevil Gallery
Art in the Open, Headland Park Studios
Post-graduate Exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts

2005 Headland Park Studios
Small Artwork Show, Newport Artworks
Space4art Studios Opening Exhibition
Emergent, Newport Artworks
Student Diversity, NSW Parliament House
Waverley College Art Show
Tea Gardens Art Show

2004 Twomey and Perkin, Blue Poles Gallery Cafe
Twomey and Perkin, Newspace Gallery
Waverley College Art Show
Sculpture by the Sea

2003 Twomey and Perkin, Newspace Gallery
SCA Graduation Show, Sydney College of the Arts
Girls’ Night Out, Newspace Gallery
Waverley College Art Show

2002 Sculpture by the Sea
Willoughby City Art Prize
Sophomore, Newspace Gallery
Waverley College Art Show
Eagle Nest Gallery, Airey’s Inlet, Victoria

2001 >30, Newspace Gallery
Eagle Nest Gallery, Airey’s Inlet, Victoria
Waverley College Art Show

2000 Ron Hogan Memorial Art Prize, Hornsby TAFE
RBN 12545, Graduate Student Paintings, Hornsby TAFE
Local Colour, Hornsby TAFE ,Eryldene Historic House