Born in Beverley, Yorkshire in 1972

Education

1994-6 BA (Hons) Ceramics, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

1991-3 H.N.D. Ceramics, Distinction, Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art. “Student of the Year” 1993

1990-1 Foundation in Art and Design, York College of Art and Technology

Biography

Nick Mackman is a sculptor of one-off clay animal models. She has been widely exhibited and in 2015 she won first prize in the Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. Most of her pieces are Raku fired, giving a rich but natural crackle glaze.

Drawing on her experience as a rhino keeper and on safari, she aims to get under the skin of the animal, giving each animal sculpture its own personality. She has travelled on safari in many countries to observe animals in the wild, making sketches and photographs of her subjects. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and she aims to enlighten us to their beauty, humour and tenderness, even though they may be largely perceived as ugly or aggressive. She lives in Devon, in South West England, with her husband, twin children and two dogs.

Research and Travel

2018 Vietnam

2017 Danum Valley, Borneo

2016 Pench and Kanha National Parks, India

2010-2015 Zambia

2004 Patagonia/ Madagascar

2001 Kenya/ Tanzania

2000 Nepal

1998 Safari, Botswana and Zimbabwe

1996 Bristol Zoo

1993 San Diego Zoo, USA

1993 Wildlife Observation, New Zealand

1993 Boston and New York, Mexico

1992 Rhino Keeper, Chester Zoo

Awards

2015 Wildlife Artist of the Year, winner

2010 Wildlife Artist of the Year, ‘Open’ category winner

1999 Associate of Society of Wildlife Artists

1997 “Elizabeth Greenshields” Foundation Award

1993 “Trudy Norman Award” for achievement during H.N.D.

Selected Exhibitions

2019

‘The Summer Exhibition’, Beaux Arts Bath

DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2018

Solo Exhibition ‘New Ceramic Sculptures’, Beaux Arts Bath

Summer Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2017

‘Artists of Fame and Promise’ Summer show, Beaux Arts Bath

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

Society of Wildlife Artists’ ‘Natural Eye exhibition’, Mall Galleries London

2016

‘New Sculptures’ Solo Show, Beaux Arts Bath

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2015

Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries London

Beaux Arts Bath, ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’

AAF Battersea, London – Beaux Arts Bath

2014-15 Beaux Arts Bath, Solo Exhibition

2005-2011 Beaux Arts Bath

2010

Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries London

2009

Artists of Fame and Promise, Beaux Arts Bath

Wildlife Artist of the Year, Mall Galleries, London

2008

Flora and Fauna, Gallery Top, Derbyshire

2007

Artists of Fame and Promise, Beaux Arts Bath

Art for Survival, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

2005

Society of Wildlife Artists, Mall Galleries, London

Art for Survival, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

2004

Solo Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath

2002

Beaux Arts Bath

The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”

Old Bakehouse Gallery, Chichester “Life’s a Zoo”

2001

Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Slimbridge, Glos. ‘Beauty in the Beast-Ceramic Sculpture’

The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”

Beaux Arts Bath, ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’

2000

Craft in the Bay, Cardiff “Animal Instincts”

The Contemporary Craftsman, Monmouth “How Much is that Doggie?”

The Mall Galleries, London “Society of Wildlife Artists”

Beaux Arts Bath “Artists of Fame and Promise”

1999

Aberystwyth Arts Centre and on Tour “The Cat Scratched Little Johnny”

Summer Exhibition, Beaux Arts, Bath

Annual Society of Wildlife Artists,The Mall Galleries,London

“Nick Mackman’s Beastly Exhibition,” Red Gallery Portsmouth by Chris Packham

“Ugly Bug Ball” Public Auction,Natural History Museum

Christmas Exhibition, Beaux Arts Bath

1998

British Wildlife Exhibition, Contemporary British Crafts, Dorking

1997

Society of Wildlife Artists, The Mall Galleries, London

Fireworks Studio Exhibition, The Red Gallery, Portsmouth

Born Free Summer Exhibition, Fitch’s Ark, London

Commissions

1998-present Trophy for BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award Chester Zoo

Proposed Awards for British Airways ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’

Private Collections

Judy Dench, John Cleese, John Nettles, Chris Packham, June Whitfield, Sir John Mills, Viscount Linley, Lady Tavistock of Woburn Abbey

Exhibitions and Special Commissions

Nick’s animal sculptures have been widely exhibited and over the years her animal models have found homes with, amongst others, John Cleese, Judi Dench, Chris Packham, David Shepherd and Viscountess Serena Linley. She has accepted commissions from British Airways and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, making trophies for the award winners.

In the Studio

The majority of Nick Mackman’s animal sculptures are slab built using a clay called T’Material, a type of porcelain with added molochite. Paper pulp is added to the clay, creating paper clay, which has great strength and structure. The paper pulp burns out in the firing so the finished animal model is very lightweight, opening up many sculptural possibilities. The Raku firing imparts the distinctive smoky finish used in most of her sculptures. Bristles, papier maché and other media are sometimes used to complete the piece.