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

Research and Travel

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

Selected Exhibitions

2017

‘Artists of Fame and Promise’ Summer show, Beaux Arts Bath

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

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

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.

Commissions

1998-2000       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

Biography

Nick Mackman is a sculptor of one-off clay animal models. She has been widely exhibited and in 2010 she won the Open Category 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. 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.

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.

Observations in the Wild

Nick Mackman’s animal models and wildlife sculptures are based on detailed observations and careful study. She has travelled on safari in Botswana, Madagascar and Nepal to observe animals in the wild, making sketches and photographs of her subjects. In 2010 she was invited by the Bushcamp Company to visit the Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The company’s Mfuwe lodge is known for the elephants which regularly wander through the lobby!

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.