Artist statement
Exploring the ordinary qualities of everyday items for example the white shirt, the sewing needle and obsolete technology, Nicola Naismith uses a combination of digital and analogue processes. Simple objects are subject to complex questions concerning production, labour, value and the changing industrial and work landscape both nationally and internationally. Manual and technological dexterities are explored in relation to the body, specifically hand to eye coordination, posture and repetition.
Cross discipline dialogue is central to her current research processes and she has completed residencies with engineers and architects. Exploring processes and procedures of other professions facilitates not only the development of new skills being but also new ways of thinking and considering common subject matter. In contrast to wider global shifts in work practices she is currently working with a range of individuals recording their work histories for a new body of work.
Naismith views process as practice and works to commission, on residency and self initiated projects. She uses historical and contextual research and explores digital modes of production. Outputs include installation, photography, video and drawing in addition to research papers and artist talks.
Qualifications and training
- 2006 Post Graduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching for Higher Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
- 2003 MA Textile Culture, Norwich School of Art and Design, Norwich
Employment
- 2012 One to One Artist Advice Session, firstsite, Colchester
- 2010 Mentor with Evolve, University of East Anglia / Norwich University College of the Arts, Norwich
- 2006 - ongoing, Critical Studies and Studio Practice Tutor, Art and Design Foundation Course, Norwich
- 2003 - 2010 Critical Studies and Studio Practice Lecturer, Norwich University College of the Arts, Norwich
Solo exhibitions
- 2011 New Industrial Space, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich (more info)
- 2010 The Potential Object, Hethel Engineering Centre, Chapman Way, Hethel, Norwich, NR14 8FB, Hethel (more info)
- 2009 en masse, Hethel Engineering Centre, Hethel (more info)
- 2005 White Collar Worker, Inkpen Downie Achitecture and Design Gallery, Colchester
Group exhibitions
- 2011 Space Exchange / Aid and Abet / Satellite Portflio 2011 Launch, Aid and Abet, Cambridge (more info)
- 2011 Space Exchange / Aid and Abet / Touring Terratitories - Satellite, Aid and Abet, Cambridge
- 2011 Creekside Open Selected by Phillida Barlow, A.P.T. Gallery, London
- 2010 Quilts 1700 - 2010, Victoria and Albert Museum, London (more info)
- 2010 Alumni Exhibition, Norwich University College of the Arts, Norwich (more info)
- 2010 Lost and Found, Kings Lynn Arts Centre, Kings Lynn (more info)
- 2009 Blue Sky, Anglia Ruskin University Gallery, Cambridge (more info)
- 2008 Kettles Yard Open, Kettles Yard, Cambridge
- 2008 Norfolk Photographer of the Year, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich (more info)
- 2008 Multichannel, ArtSway galleries, Sway (more info)
- 2008 Eastern Open, Kings Lynn Arts Centre, Kings Lynn
- 2007 RSVP Contemporary Artists at the Foundling, Foundling Museum, London
Curated projects
- 2010 A Short Term Effect curated by Olga Jurgenson, Art Hall Poligraf, Russia
- 2010 Cyberfest - A short term effect curated by Olga Jurgenson, Art hall Poligraf, Russia
- 2010 Performing Presence, The National Centre for Contemporary Art, St Petersburg (more info)
- 2010 Work and Play- Screening of Artist Films and Videos, Free Word Centre, London (more info)
Artist talks
- 2012 Touring Territories Project: East Anglian U.F.O archive and Liverpool an inexpert view (revised), The Royal Standard, Liverpool (more info)
- 2011 Liverpool - an inexpert view, Aid and Abet, Cambridge
- 2011 New Industrial Space Artist Talk and Film Screening, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
- 2011 Beyond the Studio: Context and Commerce Artist Talk and In Conversation with Barbara Steveni (Artist Placement Group), firstsite at Colchester Arts Centre, Colchester (more info)
- 2010 New Industrial Space, Eye Arts Guild, Suffolk
- 2010 New Industial Space, Norwich 20 Group, Norwich
- 2008 Configurations: Technology and Textiles, Http Gallery, London
- 2008 Candy+Code : Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Barbara Rauch and Nicola Naismith, ICA (Textile Futures Research Group), London
- 2004 Challenging Craft - International Conference, Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, Scotland
- 2004 The Space Between - International Conference, Curtin Universty of Technology, Perth, Australia
Residencies
- 2010 digital making, Hethel Engineering Centre, Near Norwich
- 2008 Spatial Divisions, Former Bally Factory, Norwich
- 2007 Everyday Obsolescence, Space4 Artist Space, Peterborough
- 2006 Sites of production, Fielder Cruse Associates - Architects and Interior Designers, Norwich
Public commissions
- 2012 Artist Response: Connecting Communities & Arts in Parliament, Norfolk Record Office & Parliamentary Archive, Westminster, Norwich & London
- 2007 RSVP, Foundling Museum, London
Projects
- 2009 Satellite In-Conversation Event Susan Collis and Richard Forster In Conversation, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich (more info)
- 2007 Satellite - Artist led collective - Founder Member, Eastern, Region (more info)
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2010 digital making @ Hethel Engineering Centre, Supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England, Hethel Engineering Centre, Norfolk County Council, Sir Phillip Reckitt Educational Trust and SCAN, Norwich
- 2008 Joint Best in Show, Eastern Open, Kings Lynn Arts Centre, Kings Lynn
- 2006 Work, Working Practices, Places and Spaces, Grants for the Arts Award, Arts Council England, East (more info)
- 2006 Selected for Escalator Visual Arts, Commissions East & Arts Council England, East, Eastern Region
- 2005 Selected for Artist Mentoring Scheme, Commissions East, Cambridge
- 2002 Arts and Humanities Research Board MA Studentship, Norwich School of Art and Design, Norwich
Site specific
- 2009 Spatial Divisions - Projection, Former Factory, Norwich
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Web links - article/press
Personal website
