Nic Mason - Text
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2018
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE & CATALOGUE ESSAY A K Bellinger Gallery, Résidence, Nic Mason Dr Gareth Jenkins '... Nic Mason's paintings simultaneously intrigue the eye and the mind generating a compelling charisma that draws the viewer into their intimately detailed scenes, so singular in character as to span the gap towards universal story making. There is a playfulness here, and the passage towards the unknown, there is the emptiness that is a waiting to be filled and there is that very human tendency we possess of imbuing the most ordinary of objects with a talismanic presence. Ultimately Nic's paintings ask open ended questions, leaving space for the viewer to weave their own stories into these richly layered scenes.' Allison Bellinger, A K Bellinger Gallery '... Nic Mason’s works in this exhibition were painted as a response to her time whilst she was in France in 2017 and upon her re-turn home to Australia in 2018. In France she was welcomed into the studios of Amis des Arts d’Albi in the south of France and at the Centre de Art Marnay Art Centre (camac) near Paris as part of an international artist residency..' |
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2018
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE & CATALOGUE ESSAY 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 ...' Anne Masters, gost '... Nic Mason has … create(d) a series of paintings that has transformed the science gallery into an Australian landscape investigating the impact of interlopers.' |
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2017
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE & CATOLOGUE ESSAY Corey Tatz, Writer of the 'STILL' catalogue essay - A voice that was still, 2017 '... It takes time to absorb her work, and to let the narrative speak. The red bag with brass locks and leather handle is full of hope. Is this a journey, a destination, new beginnings, or maybe a farewell? A series of skulls from both introduced and native species - stacked on top of one another like an evolutionary timeline that is about to topple. The dolls borrowed from Nic’s husband’s grandmother are comforting, but also unsettling. A tinge of melancholy prevails. The animals depicted throughout her work reveal eyes that convey intelligence beyond their childlike bodies ...' Heather Dunn '... STILL is the second solo exhibition of Nic’s work and this is the first of many catalogues documenting t.arts Gallery exhibitions. We are very excited about taking the next step on the journey showcasing and cataloguing the works of artists exhibiting in t.arts Gallery and we are excited to present you with this exhibition ... ' Source: Tablelands Artist's Cooperative Gallery www.nicmasonartist.com/uploads/3/0/3/8/30381405/still_nic_mason_t_arts_gallery_catalogue.pdf |
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2017
ARTICLE Maryanne Jacques, Arts Outwest - Western Advocate 21 February 2017, 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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2017
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 |
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2016
JUDGES COMMENTS 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 2016, oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm
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ARTIST STATEMENT
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.
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.
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2016
ARTIST STATEMENT 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, Sharon Riley 2016, oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, private collection
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2016
COLLECTORS COMMENTS 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, Dorothy Ethel Healy 2016, oil on canvas, 60 x 80 cm, private collection
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2016
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE & CATALOGUE ESSAY 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, Tracy Sorensen and Nic Mason - catalogue contributors 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 |
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2016
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 |
Nic Mason, Fox and numbat 2015 oil on canvas, 76 x 76cm, private collection
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2016
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 |
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2015
JUDGES COMMENTS 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, Caitlin, oil on canvas, 100 cm x 75 cm, private Collection
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2011
JUDGES COMMENTS Robert Malherbe and Matthew Lyn – Judges awarding 2nd Prize in the Blackheath Art Prize 2011 for my work 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 |
Nic Mason, Reflection at Everglades, oil on canvas, 25 cm x 50 cm, private collection
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