Nic Mason - Media and Commentary
Links to selected media articles, commentary and other text ...
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REVIEW / ESSAY
WAYOUT, a Cementa Initiative January 2023 |
Lucy Smith, WAYOUT, a Cementa Initiative
" ... On the other hand, Nic Mason has maintained her cosy and cheerful style with a series of paintings of objects as they’re found on her studio floor. A painting of a painting, a knocked over jar with flowers, some moth bits, her son’s origami. Her feet and apron make it into half of the series, reminding me of all of the time I’ve spent looking at my feet for inspiration. It is reaffirming to see that through her lockdown experience and despite her anticlimactic first year as a qualified artist, her style and humour rise up to defend her world against its absurdity ..." https://cementa.com.au/blog/2023-01-24-grey-foundations |
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ARTICLE
Artist Profile (online) May 2022 |
Artist Profile
" ... Using painting as her vehicle, Mason thinks through they ways that we can live with the land, shaped by it as much as we are compelled to care for it. At once personal and philosophical, gently gendered and totally disruptive of any binary mode of thinking, these works knowingly upend genre conventions in playful, imaginative, and expansive ways, drawing on a knowledge of the natural world from within and without the Western history of painting ..." https://artistprofile.com.au/nicola-mason/ |
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ARTICLE
Art Almanac (online) 2 May 2022 |
Art Almanac
Select Exhibitions "During lockdown, Bathurst-based artist Nicola Mason found inspiration in the vintage appliances and children’s toys that occupy the interior of her home, as well as from her interactions with the natural world, which has resulted in a series of emotive still life paintings ..." source: https://www.art-almanac.com.au/nicola-mason-cycle/ |
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ARTICLE
Discover Central West May - June 2022 |
Discover Central West Magazine
Local artists, local landscapes "Mason references memento mori symbolism, utilising painting as a vehicle for thinking about living with the land. Her thoughts on nature and culture coalesce on the canvas, enacting contemporary storytelling within her works. Here she challenges the still life genre, where subjects are traditionally presented as binary, instead blurring the boundaries between the natural world and the man-made." |
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NOTICE
Art Guide Australia April 2022 |
Art Guide Australia
"... In her domestic setting nostalgic household appliances, loved kids' toys, and finds from her daily walks with her four-legged friends all make appearances in the theatre of her still-life works ..." https://artguide.com.au/exhibition/nicola-mason-cycle/ |
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ARTICLE
Western Advocate 7 April 2022 |
Sam Bolt
New art at the gallery, p1 and Gallery to open new art displays, p4. " ... With focus Ms Mason has engaged her domestic setting to create still life paintings reflecting an array of interpretations on common household objects ..." Source: https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/7689482/three-new-exhibitions-to-launch-at-bathurst-regional-art-gallery/ |
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ARTICLE
Western Advocate 30 September 2021 |
Sam Bolt
Bathurst Art Fair to be held online for the first time in November " ... "Artistry is all about communication and being human, and these fairs are a great way to connect with the community and tell local stories, Ms Mason said." Source: https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/7451672/biennial-bathurst-art-fair-to-return-november-in-an-online-first/ |
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ARTICLE
Sydney Morning Herald + John McDonald, blog 6 June 2021 |
John McDonald, Salon des Refusés 2021
"... Finally, this year’s award for best title goes to Nic Mason for Questioning landscape with a pouffe. Before you ring the S.H.Ervin in indignation please check the spelling." Source: www.johnmcdonald.net.au/2021/salon-des-refuses-2021/ |
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ARTICLE
Western Advocate 18 August 2020 |
Steven Cavanagh, Arts Outwest
Introducing six creative identities in the Bathurst region ... Meg Allan ... Lino Alvarez ... Will Hazzard ... Amala Groom ... Stephen Hogan ... Nicola Mason ... ' ... Nic Mason is a painter whose art practice is anchored in her background I ecological sciences and a rich domestic life ...' Source: www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/6883072/the-arts-introducing-six-creative-identities-in-the-bathurst-region/ |
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INTERVIEW
Orana Arts May 2019 |
Portia Lyndsay, Orana Arts, Nic Mason and Art of Threatened Species 2019
' ... I think both scientists and artists are dedicated to asking big questions and seeking ways forward. I hope some insight is to be gained from these collaborations; that the project leads to further collaborations; and that the exhibition from this project gets an opportunity to talk with many others in heading far and wide.' |
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ARTICLE
Western Advocate 21 February 2017 |
Maryanne Jacques, Arts Outwest - Exhibition showcases Nic's major passions
'BATHURST artist Nic Mason’s long background in conservation management combines beautifully with her great skill as a painter ...' Source: Western Advocate online www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/4482148/exhibition-showcases-nics-major-passions/ |
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ARTICLE
Bathurst City Life February 16 - 22 2017 |
t.arting up the STILLness
'... she has been closely studying the skulls of protected, threatened and introduced animals to the Australian landscape and delving deep into the traditions of still life painting ...' Source: Bathurst City Life February 16 - 22 2017 |
Nic Mason, Dave Noble 2016, oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, private collection
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JUDGES COMMENTS
Blackheath Art Prize, Blackheath Art Society 2016 ARTIST STATEMENT
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Matthew Lyn – Judge awarding Highly Commended in the Blackheath Art Prize 2016 for Nic Mason's painting Dave Noble (this work also received the People's Choice Award)
"One of the hardest things in portraiture is to make the subject convincing, I mean really convincing! A beautiful accumulation of varied marks that nevertheless have the sensitivity to all speak together, whilst retaining the wildness and breath of the experience of making this through the action of one’s own body." Source: Blackheath Art Society website blackheathart.com/prizewinners-2/ Artist Statement - Nic Mason
Dave Noble has spent a lifetime exploring the Blue Mountains Region. He has climbed through hundreds of canyons that very few people have ventured into. In 1994 whilst walking remotely in Wollemi National Park he stumbled across a stand of unusual trees. The sample he took started a quest of discovery and the botanical find of the century. It is the story of the Wollemi Pine and a view back to life one hundred million years ago. He works as a national parks ranger. Nic Mason has known him through this work setting for over 10 years. |
Nic Mason, Sharon Riley 2016, oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, private collection
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ARTIST STATEMENT
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Artist Statement - Nic Mason
Sharon Riley is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up and lives with family, in her Country in the Lithgow area. She is passionate about her culture and her obligations to care for her country ~ land, water and stories of Country. She works as an Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer in national parks. Nic Mason has known her through this work setting for over 10 years. |
Nic Mason, Dorothy Ethel Healy 2016, oil on canvas, 60 x 80 cm, private collection
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COLLECTORS COMMENTS
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J Healy - Collector, Queensland, Australia
"I can't thank you enough. You're an amazing artist and have done an outstanding job of bringing my grandma to life. I have cried, smiled, laughed and even talked to this piece - I love it." |
Nic Mason, Fox and numbat 2015 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
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ARTICLE
Molong Online 29 March 2016 |
New Cowra Gallery exhibitions reflect Australian landscape and figurative art
"... Narrative and symbolism are integral to this work, where Mason plays with the rendering of animal masks and her recurring red bag ..." Source: Molong Online website molong.com.au/art/news/2016/03_16/cowra/cowra.html |
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ARTICLE
Central NSW Discover magazine April 2016 |
Wild and shared interests in art
"... Nic Mason's exhibition also includes two large portraits of work colleagues, Sharon Riley and Dave Noble, whom she has both known for over 10 years. She painted Riley and Noble as they have a deep connection and passion for the land ..." Source: Central NSW Discover magazine, April 2016, Wild and shared interests in art |
Nic Mason, Caitlin, oil on canvas, 100 cm x 75 cm, private Collection
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JUDGES COMMENTS
Central West Regional Art Award, Cowra Regional Art Gallery 2015 |
Dr Andrew Frost - Judge awarding winner of the Central West Regional Art Award 2015, Cowra Regional Art Gallery for my work Caitlin
"Nic Mason's Caitlin is a quietly powerful portrait of the Artist's daughter. Mason has used a number of techniques in creating the picture that ultimately work together. Although there is a temptation for such pictures to verge on the sentimental, Mason has chosen to give her portrait a sense of realism with the rendering of the subject's hair and the dark shadows under the eyes. Mason's painting also came from a strong selection of work by regional artists." Source: Cowra Regional Art Gallery website cowraartgallery.com.au/2015-calleen-art-award-and-central-west-regional-art-award-winners-announced |
Nic Mason, Reflection at Everglades, oil on canvas, 25 cm x 50 cm, private collection
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JUDGES COMMENTS
Blackheath Art Prize, Blackheath Art Society 2011 |
Robert Malherbe and Matthew Lyn – Judges awarding 2nd Prize in the Blackheath Art Prize 2011 for the work, Nic Mason, Reflection at Everglades
"A quiet and intense picture, showing a well known place in a completely different light. A moody awkward composition that resolves itself wonderfully with a quiet drama." Source: Blackheath Art Society website 2011 |