Nick Mackman is an award winning sculptor of ceramic and bronze animal sculptures. She has been widely exhibited and in 2015 won the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. She was Overall Runner-up and Go Wild Category Winner in 2012 and won the Open Category in 2010.
Most of Nick’s animal sculptures are Raku fired, giving a rich but natural looking crackle glaze. She aims to get under the skin of the animal, giving each animal sculpture its own personality. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and, in depicting them, she seeks to enlighten us to their beauty, humour and tenderness. She lives in Devon, in South West England, with her husband, twins and two dogs.
When making an animal, I first consider the character of the animal, such as the pride and grace of a giraffe, and try to express these qualities in my animal sculptures, through stance, movement and expression.
Some of my animal sculpture subjects are relatively unknown or highly endangered. It is with these animals that I try to bridge the gap in current public perception. I aim to enlighten people to the beauty, humour and tenderness of those animals that are largely seen or represented as purely aggressive, dangerous or ugly. Above all, I hope to convey an appreciation of the individuality of each animal and its intrinsic beauty.
The passion which powers my work has evolved from my awareness, awe and wonder of the amazing diversity and beauty of the animal kingdom and its complex survival structures and systems. I hope that my animal sculptures will encourage understanding and compassion, which in turn will result in a deeper level of enjoyment, respect and admiration for the beauty in the beast.
Sculptures by nick mackman
Credentials
Qualifications
Foundation in Art and Design at York College of Art and Technology
1992 - HND in ceramics (distinction) at Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art (Animal Modeling)
BA hons Ceramics at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff.,Foundation in Art and Design at York College of Art and Technology
1992 - HND in ceramics (distinction) at Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art (Animal Modeling)
BA hons Ceramics at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff.Exhibitions
yes
Awards
2015 Winner of Wildlife Artist of the Year
Overall Runner-Up and "Go Wild` category Winner in Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012, category winner in 2010, highly commended in 2009 and 2011.1997 - Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award
1993 - Trudy Norman Award for achievement during her HND Course
1993 - Student of the Year at Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art
Nick Mackman is an award winning animal sculptor. She aims to give each animal sculpture its own personality. Many of her subjects are highly endangered and she seeks to enlighten us to their beauty, humour and tenderness. She lives in Devon, England, with her husband, twins and two dogs.
Rembrandt Bugatti
Sally Arnup
Dylan Lewis
Praise for Nick Mackman
"Through the admiration of her work one can enjoy an awareness of the beast and its beauty. Such an ability is only afforded by an artist whose skills are as rare as her subjects."
CHRIS PACKHAM, TV Presenter
"Nick Mackman captured the relationship between mother and pup so sympathetically that you could not fail to be drawn to this charming piece."
DAVID SHEPHERD, Wildlife Artist
"It’s as if the artist grasped the mud beneath her feet and conjured up the magic of Africa – here is humour, pathos and personality."
HAZEL SOAN, Wildlife Artist of the Year Judge
