Clare Nias. Artist. Brighton UK.

My paintings and drawings are about my curiosity at how things work: the systems and processes of machines, bodies, biology, electrics, built things, growing things, everyday things. I’m interested when things go wrong, too… when they’re broken, faulty, need fixing. I enjoy using my work as a way of speculating and questioning; I’m not after answers.

The time and process of drawing is part of the enquiry; my work is often labour intensive. I draw directly from life as well as from reference material I collect: maps, diagrams, manuals, xrays and scans, architectural & botanical & anatomical drawings. 

I use pencil, acrylic, gouache and watercolour and inks with pen and brush.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s I gained a BA(Hons) in Illustration and an MA in Fine Art at Brighton University. Since then I’ve shown my work locally, nationally and abroad in solo and group shows. I was one of three artists to set up Maze, a group studio & gallery in the centre of Brighton. Since then I have had studios in Red Herring and Phoenix Art Space where I am now.

As well as teaching art on Degree and Foundation courses, I’ve taught on and run courses and workshops at local art centres and colleges in drawing, collage, book and sketchbook making. I have also set up collaborative drawing projects, each operating on the principle that ’everyone can draw’, Flying Books being the longest running, see www.flyingbooks.net