Sue Nicholas, a fine art graduate from Goldsmith’s College with an MBA from Imperial College, brings a unique perspective to contemporary art by looking beyond the superficial layers of identity and diving into the profound internal landscapes of consciousness. Her work doesn’t dwell on the external self but rather on the fluidity of the inner dimension—the consciousness or life force that resides within. With imagination as her primary tool, Nicholas channels this intangible energy into her art, offering viewers glimpses of her internal landscapes. Her paintings embody thought and emotion, visually mapping the mind’s complexities through geometric abstractions. These pieces draw connections between thought, consciousness, and the neural patterns that define human experience. By presenting these visuals as abstract, geometric forms, Nicholas invites us to consider the unity between inner thought processes and the way our minds perceive and structure reality.
In-depth
Nicholas’s painting In-depth is a striking exploration of non-digital pictorial space achieved through acrylics on a canvas board. The piece, set within a wood frame and A3-sized, uses layers of transparent, translucent, and opaque films of paint. This technique allows light to reflect subtly off the canvas, imbuing the work with an almost meditative quality. The layers of paint act as filters, presenting varying levels of color density and texture that create a sense of depth and dimension. This layering draws viewers inward, encouraging them to explore the relationship between the layers as they interact with each other in an organic, almost breathing rhythm.
What stands out in In-depth is its invitation to look beyond the surface. The layered approach symbolizes the multiple facets of consciousness—each layer a new aspect of thought, awareness, or emotion. The non-linear arrangement of colors and forms reflects the fluid nature of the mind, where ideas and emotions overlap, often ambiguously. As the layers settle into a dynamic yet harmonious visual experience, In-depth embodies the artist’s focus on capturing internal rhythms and nuances within the act of visual creation.
Star Cross
Another powerful work by Nicholas, titled Star Cross, takes a geometric approach to abstraction. Painted on a cradle board in A3 size, the work hinges on the interaction of symmetry and asymmetry within a diamond-shaped composition. At first glance, the symmetrical patterns create an orderly impression, but subtle shifts reveal an undercurrent of horizontal asymmetry. This break from strict symmetry introduces a sense of movement, illustrating the tension between stability and change.
Star Cross plays with the viewer’s expectations, presenting a structured pattern that morphs into something more complex upon closer inspection. This piece invites contemplation on how thoughts evolve—starting from an orderly, preconceived structure and gradually finding new meaning through unexpected elements. The shifting symmetry reflects the ongoing evolution of self-awareness, hinting at how we move between fixed ideas and dynamic, unfolding truths within ourselves. The tension in Star Cross between form and change echoes the artist’s pursuit of understanding the fluidity of the inner self.
Unfurled
Nicholas’s painting Unfurled offers a contrast with its softer, organic shapes and fluid circular forms, painted with acrylics on bonded watercolor paper. This piece, also in an A3 format, represents an “opening out” experience, as described by Nicholas. The focal point is a translucent sphere filled with a series of circular forms that seem to burst forth, creating a sense of growth and expansion. This circular motif reflects the artist’s exploration of abundance and the notion of endless internal resources.
The composition of Unfurled feels like a treasure trove, a visual metaphor for the rich depths of human consciousness and the countless thoughts, emotions, and memories that emerge when we let down our internal barriers. The delicate balance of transparency and opacity in this piece creates a sense of wonder, suggesting that the layers of our inner life are delicate and interconnected, yet boundless. Through the multiplicity of forms within the sphere, Nicholas captures a moment of self-discovery—a glimpse into the core of personal expansion and the beauty within.
Exploring the Internal Landscape
In her work, Nicholas uses abstraction not as a means to obscure but rather to distill the essence of complex inner experiences. Each piece embodies a segment of the mind, with elements of geometry and layering that are as much a tribute to her structured thinking as they are a journey into intuition. Through In-depth, Star Cross, and Unfurled,Nicholas navigates the boundaries between form and thought, guiding us to consider the unseen elements of the self that shape our understanding of the world. In doing so, she not only creates visually engaging compositions but also uses her art as a portal to introspection, making the unseen seen and inviting us to reflect on the layered landscapes within.
