Nic Mason - Text
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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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Catherine Atkinson, Education Specialist, CSIRO
'In this stunning collection of paintings, Nic Mason ponders the impact of interlopers on the Australian landscape. Since European colonisation, Australia has experienced a devastating loss of wildlife species. Introduced species have been implicated in almost all mammal extinctions during this time and continue to wreak havoc with Australia’s unique threatened species. In her elegant compositions, Nic focuses our attention on this calamity with sensitivity, compassion, and a touch of her trademark wit ...' |
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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
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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/ 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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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." |
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EXHIBITION CATALOGUE & CATALOGUE ESSAY
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, WILD, Nic Mason 2016 |
Tracy Sorensen - Writer of the 'Wild' catalogue essay, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 2016
"... The beauty amidst the not-quite-right lies at the heart of Nic Mason's paintings. Her work is infused with a deep knowledge of the Australian bush, knowledge gained through a childhood of intent observation and drawing and an adult life working in the field of conservation management ..." Brian Langer, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 2016 "... WILD is the first substantial body of work shown by Nic Mason since she began painting in oils only five years ago. This solo exhibition not only references Mason’s long background in conservation it is also a personal journey that reveals a visual language developed over time and inspired by the natural environment, and the Australian landscape especially around The Blue Mountains and west of the Great Dividing Range ..." Source: Cowra Regional Art Gallery WILD Nic Mason catalogue / website cowraartgallery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/nic-mason-catalogue1.pdf |
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 |