Nigel Smith

Nigel Smith

I’m an abstract artist, working mostly in oils, inspired by nature. My work sits somewhere between abstracted landscape, fantasy and lyrical abstraction. I call them dreamscapes. They are meditations on nature, spirit and memory capturing moments of mood in an ever changing environment.

They are contemporary visions of the sublime, filtered through abstract expressionism, East Asian art and philosophy, the majestic light of Turner and Monet… and a dash of 70s prog album covers.

I want the viewer to feel they are not quite sure what they are looking at. They may find familiar motifs but be unsure if they are looking at something vast or microscopic, external or internal, underwater or out in the cosmos, in a grand vista or a local weedpatch. Nature moves constantly, ever changing, interconnected, both epic and intimate. In my art, like in a Murukami novel, one never quite knows when the familiar will slip into a twilight of surreal dreams. Who doesn’t want a little magic in their lives?

I want to express the flow of energy moving through everything in our universe.

My main contemporary influences are Cruz Jimenez, Darren Waterston, Peter Doig, Chris Rivers, Max Gimblett, Ella Baudinet, Olafur Eliasson, Gerda Leenards, Fiona Rae and John Walsh.

My strongest historical influence is JMW Turner. I also greatly admire Monet, Bosch, Miro, Zao Wou-Ki and Chu Teh Chun.

In 2011 I was privileged to study Zen ink painting with Max Gimblett. I studied with Andrew Barns-Graham from 2010-2013 and Cruz Jimenez from 2013-2016. I also studied Chinese brush painting with Wei Lin Ha.

I was born in Kent, UK and have lived in London, Leicester and Auckland, New Zealand. I’ve been painting and drawing since my early teens. I studied Art and then Graphic Design and worked as a designer for 25 years, juggling running a design practice with painting and exhibiting my art. My paintings often appeared in design projects as covers for classical CDs or illustrations for various corporate and not-for-profit clients. Gradually the art took over from the design.

I began making landscape paintings in New Zealand in about 2000, inspired by the fast moving weather and the stunning, pristine landscapes. I also developed an interest in environmental concerns. Somehow the land seemed more fragile living there. Because there is so much beauty in the landscape each new assault on it from farming, industry, construction, climate change etc seemed more visible than in the UK. I also developed an interest in spirituality, studying Buddhism for 10 years and other Asian philosophies and my painting began to turn towards representing internal thoughts and feelings leading to more abstract work.

In Auckland I regularly exhibited in group shows. I was also awarded the oil painting prize at Te Tuhi Gallery and given a solo showcase exhibition. Since coming back to the UK in 2016 I have exhibited in more group shows and opens.

Besides painting I’m also a musician. I made two albums back in the 90’s and played all the London dives to literally 10’s of people. I’m currently working on an ambient album in conjunction with my series of abstracts and landscapes inspired by Beacon Hill.

Despite being back in Leicester for the third time in my life I’m still a Spurs supporter - hence my miserable demeanour.