Nicola Atkinson.Does Fly
Artist, Curator and NADFLY
Westend Glasgow by way of SoCal with a little house in Sweden
Download NADFLY CV pdf
Profile
After graduating in Fine Art from Brighton University, my first exhibition of video work, was in 'Second Link', an international show at MoMA in New York. Exhibitions of paintings followed in Los Angeles. By the late 1980's I was increasingly undertaking unique projects in which the engagement in process altered people’s perceptions, of both art and life.
My practice and experience extends over many years, and includes working in different countries, diverse cities and towns and with a wide variety of individuals. Having worked with Local Authorities, as well as with the private sector and non-governmental organizations, I have developed a style that is adaptable and flexible to allow me to fit within existing structures or to work largely unaided. I have often proposed an original idea and developed the concept through to a completed project. These experiences have enabled me to develop skills in engaging with the public and gathering and sifting large and diverse amounts of information. This has been done both, on my own, or within a small team. I enjoy collaborating with curators, artists, musicians, architects, writers and film-makers. I believe that I am able to present complex ideas to a wide range of groups, in terms of age and interests. I can design web sites, catalogues, posters, edit and master DVDs and work with architectural fabricators. I work in the media of painting, DVDs, photography, text, metal, wood, printed fabric and found objects.
I have undertaken artworks in Glasgow itself, notably 'Lost and Found' (From Govan to Springburn), and in New York, Lost Angeles, Karachi, Dublin, Havana, Bosnia & Herzegovina and across the UK. Each project aimed to be innovative, ambitious and meaningful for the participants and the public. Between 1997- 2001 I initiated and curated projects in Glasgow, through 'Bulkhead', seeking to genuinely interact with local communities and to support artists with national and international reputations in making new work and promoting art in unusual places.
In 2002 I was awarded a Nesta Fellowship to further explore my practice. 'Total Investigation' has enabled me to study public art practice and to engage in dialogue with a wide range of people. Through undertaking complex, project based works with communities around the world, I have sought to contribute to the evolving practice and understanding of public art - and its importance in redefining the role of art in society. During this period, I am especially proud of 'Terrible Beauty': working with immigrant families from Bosnia living in West Bromwich, I sought, through a series of colour saturated watercolours of root like structures, to create a new space which both recognised their trauma while reflecting the strength of family ties - and the hope that gives.
Here are the seven public art works creative in 2006.
Flight/Vuelo was an event at the Hunterian Art Gallery as part of the GI Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Visual Art; I am Dish creating an intelligent public art strategy for Keswick; CaaC a collaboration with Stevie Jackson on DVD vignettes for the Belle & Sebastian's Triptych event Tramway; Thank you for Shopping with us!!! International Conference on Power, Freedom, and Coalitions in Hamburg, Germany; Hanging by a Thread, Paisley Museum & Art Galleries ; Bring the Glam to East Kilbride, ( Residency in East Kilbride ); and Green Dot, a solo show in Schloss (Castle) Almoshof Nürnberg. Each public art work has aimed to be innovative, ambitious and meaningful for the participants and the public.
In 2007 - 2008 Abbeyview artist.... plus see picture link
In 2008 Wild Shades.... plus see picture link
In 2008 - 2009 Victorian Market.... plus see picture link
