Nigel Sense
Biography
Nigel Sense is a Wollongong-born Australian artist, after graduating from University of Wollongong he has been without a fixed abode. Nomadic by nature, Sense’s keen interest in travel and discovery informs his idiosyncratic style.
Akin to Pop Artists in the 60’s, Sense trespasses everyday cultural phenomena into the gallery; communicating bold, bright, nostalgic iconography. Engaging and witty, his large-scale paintings express the yearnings of an artist who is ‘curious and curiouser’, condensing chance encounters into rollicking cultural conversations.
Always from the vantage of a visitor, Sense’ brocade imagery is informed by community icons, tourist attractions and genuine connection. It is this compelling neo- expressionist style that has led to attention and success, in 2009 Sense was exhibited as part of the inaugural Colombo Art Biennale, and was invited again in 2012.
Sense is selected as a Finalists in major awards; most recently: Salon De Refuses, 2022, Portrait of a Senior Territorian, Parliament House, Darwin NT, 2022 & the Collie Art Prize, Collie Art Gallery, 2019. He was commissioned by Porsche in 2021 to create a custom livery for the Taycan in celebration of the German auto manufacturer’s 70th anniversary in Australia, in 2022 he held his first institutional solo at the National Centre of Contemporary Art (NCCA) in Darwin and travelled to Sydney Contemporary 22: International Art Fair, Carriageworks.
E D U C A T I O N
2005-2006 Bachelor of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
2000-2002 Diploma Graphic Design and Printing, Ultimo TAFE, Sydney
1992-1994 Associate Diploma Fine Art, West Wollongong Technical College, Wollongong, NSW
A W A R D S
2022 Finalist, Salon de Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
2022 Finalist, Portrait of a Senior Territorian, Parliament House, Darwin NT
2020 Finalist, Salon de Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
2019 Finalist, Collie Art Prize, Collie Art Gallery, Collie WA
2019 Finalist, Salon de Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
2019 Finalist, The Vincent Prize, Duckrabbit Gallery, Sydney NSW
2019 Finalist, The Kings Art Prize, The Kings School, Sydney NSW
2018 Finalist, Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney NSW
2018 Finalist, Salon de Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
2017 Finalist, Black Swan Art Prize, Western Australia Art Gallery, Perth WA
2017 Finalist, Mosman Art Prize, Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney NSW
2017 Finalist, Kilgour Prize, Newcastle Regional Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
2017 Finalist, Fisher Ghost Art Prize, Campbelltown Art Centre, Sydney NSW
2015 Finalist, Salon des Refusés, S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney NSW
2015 Finalist, Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize, Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore NSW
2013 Finalist, Fishers Ghost Art Prize, Campbelltown Art Centre, Sydney NSW
2011 Finalist, Australian Stencil Art Prize, Outpost Cockatoo Island, Sydney NSW
S O L O E X H I B I T I O N S
2022 Visitor, Wagner Contemporary at Sydney Contemporary, Sydney NSW
2022 Visitor Centre, National Centre for Contemporary Art, Darwin
2021 Nigel Sense x Porsche = NFT, Fox Galleries, Melbourne
Departure Lounge, Fox Galleries, Melbourne
2020 Post Tropical Future World, Fox Galleries, Melbourne
Tropical Future World, Wagner Contemporary, Sydney
2019 Caterpillarness, Fox Galleries, Melbourne
Dickheads & Demons, Wagner Contemporary, Sydney
2018 Workers & Wankers, Fox Galleries, Melbourne
2017 Art Is Lettuce, Finders Street Gallery, Sydney
2016 Hi how are you?, Penny Contemporary, Hobart
Nigel Sense, Blokes and Sheilas, Harvison Gallery, Perth
2015 Boat Shoes and Blazers, Brisbane Modern Art Gallery, Brisbane
Modern Day Moments, Angela Tandori, Melbourne
Nigel Sense, Flowers From a Servo, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
Nigel Sense, Bricks and Mortar, Harvison Gallery, Perth
2014 Nigel Sense, New Work, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney
Nigel Sense, Newtown Art Seat, Marrcikville Council, Sydney