Biographie
artist statement | My art deals with the phenomenon of “Porn Chic” which is omnipresent in our society. “Porn Chic” evolved in the 90s when developments in media technology contributed to the sexualisation of culture. As a result, the boundaries between pornography and culture became blurred and pornography entered the mainstream. Because of its popularity and impact, creating awareness of the existence of this “Porn Chic”, in my opinion, of utmost importance. I do this by blowing up “Porn Chic” images from advertisements and other media sources and painting them in a semi-photorealistic way on large size canvases whilst maintaining the figures' sense of distance and glam aesthetics. Subtly created dissonances, such as an elongated limb or a slightly lopsided eye, exaggerate the characters' expressions and stereotypical personalities. This provokes thought processes and urges the viewer to question this everyday glossy explicitness. --- "Nicola's photo-realistic style is very striking and often unsettling." Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London --- --- "well executed!" Mark Jason Gallery, London --- --- "impressive work" Portals Gallery, Chicago --- |
Education | |
2010 | PhD in Art/New Media, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
2003 | 1. Staatsexamen in English, Art & Education (Sek II), Universität-GH Paderborn, Germany |
1997–1998 | studies towards an MA (English Language & Literature, Media Studies, Cultural Anthropology), Universität-GH Paderborn, Germany |
1997 | Abitur, Herder-Gymnasium, Minden, Germany |
Selected Solo Exhibitions | |
| 2010 | Paintings by Nicola Bockelmann - 'Das Ewig-Weibliche/The Eternal Feminine': From Portraits to Porn-Chic', Cartwright Hall Gallery, Bradford, UK |
2006 | Porn Chic, Microzine, Liverpool - Independents Biennial Liverpool, UK Porn Chic, Brahm Gallery, Leeds, UK |
2002–2006 | KunstART, national touring exhibition organised by Paderborn University, Germany |
1996 | Tequila-Café, Minden, Germany |
Selected Group Exhibitions | |
| 2012 | The Door Prize, Centrespace Gallery, Bristol, UK |
| 2011 | 13th Painting, Drawing, Print & Photography Juried Online International Art Exhibition, Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, USA |
| 2010 | The Secret Art Show, York City Screen, York, UK |
New Media, Sex, and Culture in the 21st Century, MONA (Museum of New Art), Detroit, USA | |
Waterside Open 2010, The Lauriston Gallery, Waterside Art Centre, Sale, Greater Manchester, UK | |
| 2009 | Open Exhibition - part of Saltaire Arts Trial 2009, Shipley College, Saltaire, UK |
Holbeck Music and Art Festival, Leeds, UK | |
Salon (Doppelgaenger), Torhaus, Dortmund, Germany | |
| 2008 | Salon 2008- part of ESA’s (East Street Arts) Social Club programme Multitude, Patrick Studios, Leeds, UK |
1st Waterside Open Art Exhibition Waterside Art Centre, Sale, Greater Manchester, UK | |
2007 | Bold Expressions - 52nd Annual International Open Juried Art Exhibition, Sacramento Fine Arts Centre, Carmichael, CA, USA Sefton Open 2007, The Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport, UK Wavy Blue, various sites in Bournemouth, UK Bradford Open '07, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, UK UAMO 2007 – 'It's about to blow up!', Kunstarkaden, Munich, Germany |
2006 | The Postcard Show, Surface Gallery, Nottingham, UK |
2001 | Mischen, Diözesanmuseum, Paderborn, Germany |
Grants | |
| 2010 | Grant from Bradford Council |
2005 | Grant from Arts Council England |
Awards | |
| 2011 | 13th Painting, Drawing, Print & Photography Juried Online International Art Exhibition - special recognition |
| 2011 | The Door Prize - shortlisted |
| 2010 | Art Interview -23rd International Online Artist Competition - shortlisted |
| 2010 | Waterside Open 2010 - highly commended |
| 2007 | Sefton Open 2007 - honourable mention |
| 2007 | Bradford Open '07 - 2nd Prize |
| 2007 | Celeste Art Prize 2007 - shortlisted |