Nick Mackman

Born in Beverley, Yorkshire in 1972

Education

1994-6   BA (Hons) Ceramics, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
1991-3   H.N.D. Ceramics, Distinction, Carmarthenshire College of Technology and  Art. “Student of the Year” 1993
1990-1   Foundation in Art and Design, York College of Art and Technology

Biography

Nick Mackman is a sculptor of one-off clay animal models. She has been widely exhibited and in 2015 she won first prize in the Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. Most of her pieces are Raku fired, giving a rich but natural crackle glaze.
Drawing on her experience as a rhino keeper and on safari, she aims to get under the skin of the animal, giving each animal sculpture its own personality. She has travelled on safari in many countries to observe animals in the wild, making sketches and photographs of her subjects. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and she aims to enlighten us to their beauty, humour and tenderness, even though they may be largely perceived as ugly or aggressive. She lives in Devon, in South West England, with her husband, twin children and two dogs.

Research and Travel

2018   Vietnam
2017   Danum Valley, Borneo
2016   Pench and Kanha National Parks, India
2010-2015   Zambia
2004   Patagonia/ Madagascar
2001   Kenya/ Tanzania
2000   Nepal
1998   Safari, Botswana and Zimbabwe
1996   Bristol Zoo
1993   San Diego Zoo, USA
1993   Wildlife Observation, New Zealand
1993   Boston and New York, Mexico
1992   Rhino Keeper, Chester Zoo

Awards

2015     Wildlife Artist of the Year, winner
2010     Wildlife Artist of the Year, ‘Open’ category winner
1999     Associate of  Society of Wildlife Artists
1997    “Elizabeth Greenshields” Foundation Award
1993    “Trudy Norman Award”  for achievement during H.N.D.

Selected Exhibitions

2019
‘The Summer Exhibition’, Beaux Arts Bath
DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition
AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2018
Solo Exhibition ‘New Ceramic Sculptures’, Beaux Arts Bath
Summer Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath
AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2017
‘Artists of Fame and Promise’ Summer show, Beaux Arts Bath
AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath
Society of Wildlife Artists’ ‘Natural Eye exhibition’, Mall Galleries London

2016
‘New Sculptures’ Solo Show,  Beaux Arts Bath
AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2015
Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries London
Beaux Arts Bath, ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’
AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2014-15           Beaux Arts Bath, Solo Exhibition

2005-2011       Beaux Arts Bath

2010
Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries London

2009
Artists of Fame and Promise, Beaux Arts Bath
Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries, London

2008
Flora and Fauna, Gallery Top, Derbyshire

2007
Artists of Fame and Promise, Beaux Arts Bath
Art for Survival, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

2005
Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London
Art for Survival, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

2004
Solo Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath

2002
Beaux Arts Bath
The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”
Old Bakehouse Gallery, Chichester “Life’s a Zoo”

2001
Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Slimbridge, Glos. ‘Beauty in the Beast-Ceramic Sculpture’
The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”
Beaux Arts Bath, ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’

2000
Craft in the Bay, Cardiff “Animal Instincts”
The Contemporary Craftsman, Monmouth “How Much is that Doggie?”
The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”
Beaux Arts Bath “Artists of Fame and Promise”

1999
Aberystwyth Arts Centre and on Tour “The Cat Scratched Little Johnny”
Summer Exhibition, Beaux Arts, Bath
Annual Society of Wildlife Artists,The Mall Galleries,London
“Nick Mackman’s Beastly Exhibition,” Red Gallery Portsmouth by Chris Packham
“Ugly Bug Ball” Public Auction,Natural History Museum
Christmas Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath

1998
British Wildlife Exhibition, Contemporary British Crafts, Dorking

1997
Society of Wildlife Artists, The Mall Galleries, London
Fireworks Studio Exhibition, The Red Gallery, Portsmouth
Born Free Summer Exhibition, Fitch’s Ark, London

Commissions

1998-present       Trophy for BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award Chester Zoo

Proposed Awards for British Airways ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’

Private Collections

Judy Dench, John Cleese, John Nettles, Chris Packham, June Whitfield, Sir John Mills, Viscount Linley, Lady Tavistock of Woburn Abbey

Exhibitions and Special Commissions

Nick’s animal sculptures have been widely exhibited and over the years her animal models have found homes with, amongst others, John Cleese, Judi Dench, Chris Packham, David Shepherd and Viscountess Serena Linley. She has accepted commissions from British Airways and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, making trophies for the award winners.

In the Studio

The majority of Nick Mackman’s animal sculptures are slab built using a clay called T’Material, a type of porcelain with added molochite. Paper pulp is added to the clay, creating paper clay, which has great strength and structure. The paper pulp burns out in the firing so the finished animal model is very lightweight, opening up many sculptural possibilities. The Raku firing imparts the distinctive smoky finish used in most of her sculptures. Bristles, papier maché and other media are sometimes used to complete the piece.