The Black Basque Painting

London based artists. Nigel grew up on the edge of Dundalk, a small market town in County Louth, Ireland. After graduating from Riversdale College of Technology in Liverpool he joined the Transglobe Expedition, led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. This three-year expedition successfully achieved the first circumnavigation of the globe on land, sea and ice via North and South poles along the Greenwich Meridian. During the expedition he would be at sea, on an ice cap or in some remote location for months on end. Spending large amounts of time alone, surrounded by the staggering beauty of vast and often barren spaces had a profound affect and the essence of this experience has strongly influenced his painting. His love of large open spaces and lack of clutter is obvious in his work but he is also fascinated by detail. These opposing elements are merged in his paintings providing the viewer with a glimpse beyond the clutter of everyday life. He extracts everyday people from the crowded urban environment and place them centre stage in solitude. They are unaware of his presence and therefore are natural and relaxed . . . giving a more true representation of the essence of the person being painted.