Minotaur (mixed media).

Nick Hill’s solo show for charity as part of Coastal Currents

Zoom Arts member Nick Hill has a one-man show of paintings coming up as part of the Coastal Currents arts festival. Running from Wednesday 7 August to late September, the works will be on display at Oscar’s, the cafe on the Lower Promenade opposite Warrior Square Gardens. Nick Terdre reports.

Abstract Tree 1 (mixed media).

Nick Hill is a local artist based in St Leonards who has been practising his craft for the last 10 years. Latterly he has been organising solo shows during Coastal Currents with proceeds donated to various charities, including Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Alzheimer’s Society and MIND. This year MIND will receive the profit’s from Nick’s sales.

The show will have its official opening by the mayor and deputy mayor, Cllrs Nigel Sinden and James Bacon, at a private view on Wednesday 4 September, from 6 to 8pm. There will be live music from Sister Suzie and wine and nibbles followed by a pay bar. Local MP Amber Rudd is also booked to visit on the morning of Saturday 7 September.

Distinctive work

Nick studied at Hastings College as a part-time student for six years, obtaining a Foundation Diploma with Merit and a degree in Contemporary Fine Art with Distinction. “My work is fairly distinctive, with a very strong sense of colours, and can be at times overpowering, which is my intention,” he says.

Cyclops 1 (mixed media).

“It is also at times darkly surreal and I often use found objects or any kind of material that I think fit for whatever effect I am looking for. The subject material can be drawn from my personal life experience, along with references to high and low-brow culture in literature, music and cinema.

“From the word go I have used my creative instincts as a coping method for long-term depression and this has worked well for me, despite still meeting the black dog on and off.

“I have been giving money from my sales to various charities as I would like my art to be seen as something that makes a difference in our difficult times. Simply, what can my art do for the world, instead of what have I to give to the art world – which I often find self-serving and pretentious.”

A Zoom member for several years, Nick appreciates the opportunities the group provides to bring members’ work into the public eye. In addition to the small gallery at Warrior Square station which hosts regular events, Zoom puts on several shows a year, including the current summer show in the Old Town which, Nick says, gives a good idea of its diversity.

Paintings by Nick Hill Oscar’s on the Square, Lower Promenade, Grand Parade, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6FA. Wed 7 August-Sun 29 September, Weds to Suns, 12 noon until late, or by appointment (call Nick on 07984 732 716 or Sarah on 07548 529 107).

Miss Haversham’s Demise (mixed media).

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