Nick Banks

Born London 1961

Lives and works in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Education:

Epsom School of Art 1978 - 1982

Slade School of Art University College London 1982 - 1984

Awarded Cheltenham School of Art Sculpture Fellowship 1984

Solo Exhibitions:

2017 ‘Edging Closer’ The Globe Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

2008 ‘Unearthed’ The Red Box Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

2001 The Globe Gallery North Shields

1999 The Walk Gallery London

1998 The Foreign Press Association London

Joint Exhibitions:

‘Journeymen’ with Brian Ord 2007-2009

Adhoc Gallery Wallsend

Sandford Goudie Gallery, The Customs House, South Shields

The Gallery, Gateshead Library

Myles Meehan Gallery, Darlington

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2025 Friends of the Hatton, Ex-Libris Gallery Newcastle University

2024 Gallagher and Turner Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

2020 The Aviary Gallery Jesmond Newcastle Upon Tyne

2018 The Globe Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

2010 The Balman Gallery Corbridge

2005 ‘Beyond Words’ Hatton Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

2003 The Walk Gallery London

2001 ‘Real to Real’ Queens Hall Hexham

2000 ‘The Figure’ The Cluny Gallery Newcastle Upon Tyne

1997 ‘Southwark Artists’ Dulwich Picture Gallery London

1997 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition London

1995 Southwark Open South London Gallery

1994 ‘Western Exposure’ New Burlington Gallery London

1992 - 94 Kingsgate Artists Kingsgate Gallery London

1988-89 Acme Artists Carpenters Road London

1986 ‘One Year On’ St George’s Crypt , Bloomsbury, London

1985 ‘Pick of the New’ Christies London

Teaching

2025 Life Drawing, Hut on the Green, Gosforth

2016 to present, Observational Drawing classes at The Lit & Phil, Newcastle Upon Tyne

2013-15 Course Leader Foundation Studies, South Tyneside College

2002-13 A level Fine Art Lecturer, South Tyneside College

2001- 02 Acting Course leader, Foundation Studies, Newcastle College

2000 -01 Lecturer in Fine Art and 3D Design, Newcastle College

1986 -1999 Sculpture and life drawing lecturer, Foundation Studies, Wimbledon School of Art

1984 - 85 Sculpture Lecturer, Cheltenham School of Art

Statement

My work in recent years has primarily been created through collage and drawing.

In 2024 I returned to my roots as a sculptor.

Most pieces are carved wood, water gilded with loose leaf gold; a specific and protracted process. The reason for the use of gold is its inherent qualities of vibrancy and reflection, along with the timeless and universal qualities it can echo.

I regard these pieces as poetic objects, often, but not always with a specific narrative.

Eclectic starting points for all my work come from any stimulus that piques my curiosity enough to act as a trigger, with my ideas emerging into focus like figures from the mist.