Deirdre Nicholls

An award-winning figurative sculptor and watercolour painter living in the Scottish Borders. My work explores the human and natural form with sensitivity and strength, combining traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary sense of character and presence.
Recent exhibitions include the Paisley Art Institute Annual Exhibition at Glasgow Art Club — where I received the Sculpture Prize in 2025. I have also exhibited at the Royal Ulster Academy (2024–25), Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (2023), Royal Scottish Academy (2024), The Scottish Gallery (2023), Compass Gallery (2024), and the London Art Fair (2025).
Represented by Compass Gallery and Gerber Fine Art in Glasgow, my sculptures and paintings are held in public and private collections in the UK, the US, and France. Born in Edinburgh, I trained at the Liverpool and Winchester Schools of Art, winning the Northern Young Contemporaries Prize at the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester. My practice remains rooted in classical form, informed by a lifelong fascination with history, identity, and the enduring human image.

Artist Statement
My work explores the quiet strength and vulnerability of the human form. I sculpt and paint from close observation, combining classical technique with a cont...

BA (Hons), Sculpture, Winchester School of Art 1976
MA (Classical Studies) 2017
MBA 1999

Recent shows: Paisley Art Institute Annual Exhibition Glasgow 2025 (Sculpture Prize Winner)
Royal Ulster Academy Belfast, Annual Exhibition 2024-5
Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition 2024
Compass Gallery Glasgow 2024
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition London 2023
The Scottish Gallery Edinburgh, Summer 2023
Cookham Sculpture Festival, England 2022.





John Radcliffe Hospital solo show 2021


WORK IN PERMANENT PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Glasgow City Council, City Chambers, bronze bust of Nelson Mandela
https://vimeo.com/109109930 Unveiling Mandela in Glasgow

University of Edinburgh, School of Fire Safety Engineering, bust of late founder, Dr Frank Rushbrook

University of Edinburgh, bust of former Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Tim O’Shea

University of Edinburgh Business School, Bust of Ian Rushbrook

Set of 16 wooden heraldic shields designed & created for The Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh

SELECTED WORK IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

2017 Angus Tulloch, portrait bust
2015 President of the Robert Burns Association Georgia USA, bust of Robert Burns
2012 Private Assets Trust Edinburgh, bust of late founder
2013 Edinburgh Corn Exchange, bust of late founder Bert Demarco
2012 Peter de Vink, portrait bust


SELECTED MIX...