Nick Holmes
Details
How would you describe the work you do and why?
My paintings often start from one of the small collages I make by mixing photographs, paintings and drawings cut from magazines and catalogues that fill countless sketchbooks. The collages I select and enlarge question identity, challenge stereotypes and at the same time ask - ‘what is contemporary art’?
For you what does being an artist mean?:
My paintings play with memory, identity and popular culture and often make reference to famous works in film, literature, music and art. I want the viewer to question what they are looking at while encouraging them to smile. My use of text may provide clues, but then again, can lead the viewer astray.
Describe what you call yourself/your practice?:
Nick Holmes Contemporary Art
CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice:
1965 NDD Winchester School of Art
1987 MA in Film Studies, Sheffield Hallam University
2003 MA in Fine Art, Sunderland University
Exhibitions in the last 3 years:
2026 ‘The Collective Curated’, 16 Gallery, Cheltenham
2025 Longlisted for Jackson’s Art Prize
‘Interiors and Still Life’, Chapel Gallery, Bromyard
Open Call Exhibition, 16 Gallery, Cheltenham
2024 ‘A Ripple of Land’, Chapel Gallery, Bromyard
‘Telling Tales’, Solo Exhibition, Chapel Gallery, Bromyard
RWA Friends Open Exhibition, Bristol
2023 RWA Friends Open Exhibition, Bristol
‘Seeing Us’, Chapel Gallery, Bromyard
Your gallery outlets/stockists:
16 Gallery, Cheltenham
Chapel Gallery, Bromyard