Artist statement
Concepts
My work is concerned with making marks in 2 and 3 dimensions. In some pieces I create richly textured surfaces by bringing together same or similar components, for example pins or scalpel blades. Other works create dense marking in an environment through the use of multiple constructed objects, as in "Population". My practice is fuelled by interest in human behaviour: what we do, how we do it, why we do it. I 'm particularly interested in how social position is communicated and used.
Influences
Dress and communication, history, textile history, military history, gothic novels, etymology, the meaning of things.
Career path
I hold a BA in Fine Art (printmaking) and MA in Fine Art from Falmouth College of Arts, my career prior to being an artist was in the fashion industry. During the MA I returned to, and built upon the skills I had accumulated during my previous career, developing them as an integral part of my practice as a fine artist. I have curated group shows, written for a variety of arts publications and lectured in a number of art and design subjects.
Employment
- 2005 Visiting Writer, Steneby Skolen, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2005 Invited speaker at 'Contexture' symposium, Dartington College of Arts, Totnes
- 2004 Part time Lecturer Journalism BA, University College Falmouth, Falmouth
- 2003 Part time Lecturer, History of Modern Art & Design MA, University College Falmouth, Falmouth
Solo exhibitions
- 2008 Cryptocephalus, Whitewall, Milton Keynes
- 2005 Les Liasons Dangereux, Falmouth Arts Centre, Falmouth, Cornwall
- 2001 Nicola Donavan - Recent Work, Beau Monde, Soho, London
- 1998 Nicola Donavan - Recent Work, Beau Monde, Soho, London
Group exhibitions
- 2008 traditional skills new thinking, bury st edmunds art gallery, suffolk
- 2007 open sculpture, royal west of england academy, bristol
- 2007 traditional skills new thinking, bury st. edmunds art gallery, suffolk
- 2006 WigWamBam, Plan9 The Red Lodge, Bristol (more info)
- 2005 'Crossing Time International Festival', Dartington College of Arts, Totnes
- 2005 'Drawing", The Newlyn Orion Gallery, Penzance
- 2005 Son et Lumiere, Falmouth College of Arts, Falmouth, Cornwall
- 2004 "Crossing Time" performance festival, The If Gallery, Poznan, Poland
- 2003 "Art Surgery", The Newlyn Orion Gallery, Penzance
- 2003 "Breaking Silence", The If Gallery, Poznan, Poland
- 2003 "Critics Choice" selected by Joan Bakewell, The Newlyn Orion Gallery, Penzance
- 2003 Mutiny at the Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, London
- 2003 Co curator/exhibitor "History Revision", Plymouth Arts Centre, Plymouth
- 2002 "Free Market' Jmp Ship Rat, The LIverpool Biennal, Liverpool
- 2002 "Shoe" Touring Exhibiton, City Gallery and nationwide, Leicester
- 2002 "Critics Choice" selected by Mel Gooding, The Newlyn Orion Gallery, Penzance
- 2001 YOTA AdDressing Baby, The Royal Pump Rooms Art Gallery and Museum, Leamington Spa
- 2001 2001: Space Doubt, curator, StudioThirtyNine, Plymouth, Devon
- 2000 Potato, Chutes, APT Gallery, Deptford, London
- 2000 Hydra Live Art, The Music Hall, Huxton, London
- 2000 Go Girl, Show Girt, Gallery Fresh, London
- 1999 21 Spacex, Spacex Gallery, Exeter
- 1995 Vivid Visions, The Tate Gallery, St Ives
- 1994 Fresh Art, The Business Design Centre, London
Public commissions
- 2005 Essay contribution for catalogue - "Revealed", Nottingham Castle Museum, Nottingham
- 2004 'Constraint', The Wolsey Gallery, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich
- 2002 Co curator/exhibitor "Stitched Up - The Politics of Fashion", The Pump Rooms Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Leamington Spa
Projects
- 2002 Constraint Research and exhibition project, Wolsey Gallery, Ipswich
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2002 Individual Artists award, South West Arts, Exeter
- 2002 Individual Artists award, South West Arts, Exeter
- 2002 Individual Artists award, South West Arts, Exeter
