Nikki Ella Whitlock

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Bio

Nikki is a visual artist and creative practitioner. Born in London in 1970 now living and working in Devon England, with her husband and two children.

From a very early age, Nikki has always explored creative avenues passionately; through various mediums, although she has had a particular fascination with glass. ‘I am fascinated by the transformative effects of light, internally and externally’. Partially self-taught, she studied with the Open University in the 1990’s. ‘Two of my favourites were the History of Art and the Science of colour’. She has been teaching herself Mosaic and Fused glass over the last 10 years. Nikki’s Ingenuity and style is somewhat visionary and she is developing some ground breaking techniques that are becoming recognized worldwide.

“The circumstance of my life has led me to follow an unconventional educational path. I believe this has enhanced my work and the creative process and enabled me to follow my inner voice.”

A trained florist for a number of years in and around London producing cutting edge and artistic flower displays. This foundation gave her a strong understanding about design and form. Nikki was also a portrait artist during this period and continues to produce figurative work.

Specializing in Organic Sculpture, Mosaic Sculpture, Contemporary Sculpture, Mosaic Illuminations, Hybrid Art, Neon lights, Painting, Public Art and Installations in Health Care Environments (See Project & Gallery). Nikki exhibits and sells her work in galleries, festivals and events in Derbyshire, internationally and nationally.

A keen environmentalist, all her work is 95% recycled materials!

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Artist Statement

My evolving hybrid work is based across various mediums and context, specializing in mixed media mosaic, fused glass, painting, poetry and sculpture, harnessing natural and electric light through interactive installations and site specific based artworks focusing on, form, surface texture, intensity and color. I am interested in crossing barriers between materials, concepts and manipulating the effects of light through glass.

My work is drawn from observation and experience, science and nature, with emphasis on transformation, perception and the subconscious mind. I am fascinated by the meditative state I feel when in the natural world, a loss of self or what science calls the “super-conscious mind’.  It appears that in modern society these moments are fleeting, I fear our connection with nature is becoming obscure. My work evolves in commentary, text, poetry and sketching, I then utilize these records and drawings for design and inspiration in my artwork.

I am studio-based and work independently and collaboratively within the public sector.  I endeavor to uplift, inspire and engage the audience or participant with focus on mental and physical well being, with a deeper connection to the inner voice. I take particular interest in our place in the natural world and care for environmental and social issues, connecting the person to surroundings and feelings and inspiring a sense of purpose through creative high quality workshops, public art commissions, exhibitions and festivals.

Currently, I have been researching optics (the study of light) and bioluminescent organisms. This area of research has inspired me to create ‘Illuminated artworks’, interactive mixed-media sculpture, light boxes and site specific installation. These are experimental in technique, using a layering of glass and recycled materials to capture luminosity and texture; this will enhance the play of light like a fractal effect through the glass. I am also incorporating Neon sculpted glass, LED and electroluminescent wire lighting, Arduino computer programming and solar power for some projects.

I am inspired by organic shapes, rhythm, pattern, geometry, undulating forms and intensity, resonating with creative dreams that need to be expressed. All of these I use to create parallels from the spectrum of human emotions, via artistic experimental and serendipitous moments.  I am continuously in awe and wonderment of the world and my creativity is like a faucet that’s never turned off.

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