Sue Nicholas takes a deeply introspective route through contemporary art, moving beyond surface identity to explore the vast, intricate landscapes of inner consciousness. A graduate of Goldsmith’s College with an MBA from Imperial College, Nicholas sets aside the visible self, focusing instead on the fluid nature of thought and awareness. Her imagination serves as a gateway to the abstract, transforming these experiences into layered visual compositions. Through geometric abstraction, her work captures the complexities of mind, linking thought, feeling, and perception. These compositions mirror the inner network of thought and consciousness, inviting viewers to explore the unseen layers that shape reality.
In-depth
In In-depth, Nicholas uses a canvas board and a wooden frame to craft a layered world of acrylics, each layer transparent, translucent, or opaque. These layers filter light in subtle shifts, imbuing the work with a calm, meditative tone. By interacting with the layers, viewers find themselves drawn into a complex interplay of color, depth, and motion—a quiet dance that unfolds as each layer reveals another dimension beneath it. This multilayered technique doesn’t just add depth but also reflects the varied facets of thought and feeling, giving life to the artist’s exploration of inner rhythms.
The symbolism within In-depth pushes viewers to go beneath the surface, connecting each color and shape with different aspects of awareness and thought. Nicholas captures the organic flow of the mind, where thoughts and feelings intersect without following a strict linear path. Her choice of colors and forms pulses with intention, encouraging a meditative engagement with the inner self.
Star Cross
In Star Cross, an A3 cradle board piece, Nicholas delves into the tension between symmetry and asymmetry. At first glance, the pattern appears balanced and orderly, but closer inspection reveals subtle shifts, disrupting the symmetry and introducing a sense of movement. This play between stability and transformation suggests an ongoing journey, where personal growth emerges from the balance between structure and fluidity.
Star Cross engages with the evolving nature of thought. Starting from an organized pattern, the work introduces layers that break away from expectation, mirroring the organic and sometimes surprising shifts in self-awareness. The combination of symmetry and spontaneous elements invites reflection on how perception changes, mirroring the artist’s pursuit of the fluid self.
Unfurled
In Unfurled, Nicholas turns to softer, circular shapes in acrylic on bonded watercolor paper. This piece, depicting an “opening out,” centers on a translucent sphere filled with expanding circular forms. It suggests an inner abundance, inviting viewers to consider the unlimited potential of the self. The motif captures the richness of internal experiences, thoughts, and memories, each circle contributing to the tapestry of consciousness.
The delicate transparency and opacity within Unfurled reflect the layers of personal discovery, where openness and introspection come together. By using the circular forms within the sphere, Nicholas encapsulates the complexity of the self, offering a glimpse into the beauty of self-expression and growth.
Charting the Inner Landscape
Nicholas’s abstract compositions aren’t about distorting reality but rather about illuminating the inner landscape of human experience. Through pieces like In-depth, Star Cross, and Unfurled, she builds connections between geometry and emotion, pairing structured elements with an intuitive flow. Each work represents a different facet of the mind, blending precision with insight to bridge visible form and invisible thought. Nicholas’s art opens a portal to inner reflection, allowing us to explore the depths of our own layered consciousness.
