Nicola Taylor

The title of the exhibition is a quote from Athol Fugard´s play “Master Harold....And The Boys”. The work is inspired by the question of whether 'A World Without Collisions' exists or could exist and how. Taylor believes that collisions occur when we let our fears determine our actions. It is about the state of both mind and soul.

Nicola Taylor has been inspired by South Africa and has been working prolifically since arriving back from London. Her work tells of her being “pleasantly struck by the very familiar and unique charisma and energy in South Africa.” Taylor is situated in a Fordsburg studio, with a breathtaking view of the majestic city skyline, the artist is surrounded by enormous flocks of pigeons and the interesting local characters that inspire her daily. With striking portraits and detailed depictions of her surroundings, Taylor works mainly in the medium of oil painting.

These ideas have come out in the work under three subthemes that fundamentally overlap- birds in flight, the people and the place where we live. To her, the birds in flight echo the spirit and energy in South Africa and Jo’burg. She has spent hours observing them where they gather by the hundreds in a courtyard close to her studio.

What drives Nicola Taylor to paint is the beauty she sees in everyday occurrences, as she feels that it reaffirms our common experience of life.