Complementary Opposites

'Complementary Opposites'  
Private View Wednesday 6th June 6-9pm
Willesden Gallery, 95 High Road, London, NW10 2SF
5th - 16th June 2018

Nicholas Cheeseman likes to record and intervene in the natural process of change. He is interested in the tension created between contrasts, and balance when they shift from one to another. At its most simplistic his practice observes the relationship between man and nature, but this extends to growth and decay, soft and hard, constructive and deconstructive, internal and external, black and white and numerous other pairs of complementary opposites.

Nicholas uses drawing and embroidery to depict a singular moment of change, and sculpture to replicate the transition. Through a simple technique of pointillism, using a 0.5mm pen, he fastidiously records lines, forms and structures using different densities of dots to create tones. These works are carefully planned from photographs he takes and edits. His embroidery exchanges dots for stitches and are accentuated by the addition of colour. The sculptural works result from a more spontaneous act responding to the feel and look of the wood, its age and its grain. There is no plan or sketch for the work prior to carving. Thoughts and ideas are generated through exploring the potential of the material.