In Conversation with Archibald Prize Finalist Nicola Higgins
Bondi-based artist and recent Archibald Prize finalist Nicola Higgins explores themes of self-expression and digital identity through her figurative oil paintings.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Hande Renshaw
Nicola Higgins in her studio in Sydney’s eastern suburbs pictured with her painting, Girl with Mirror and Autumn Leaves.
Girl with Lobster and Checked Dress by Nicola Higgins.
‘I was always obsessed with drawing as a child and took up painting as a teenager. I had my first private oil painting lesson at age 11.’
‘Inspiration has always come from people watching, in its various forms.’
‘Artistic expression in some form was a way of life and made for a very happy and stable childhood.’
Nicola Higgins has been making art since before she can remember; she regards the creative process as an extension of herself and key part of her identity. Having garnered a unique perspective relating to women’s relationships with their bodies during her former career as a fashion designer, Nicola’s artistic work explores themes relating to self-expression and digital identity; the ‘self-curated persona in the online world.’
‘Drawing, painting and making things has always been a part of my being,’ shares Nicola. ‘My mother was a hobbyist dressmaker and was always making crafty things; she made all our nice clothes and taught me how to sew, which showed me the joy of having a creative outlet and ultimately influenced my love of fashion,’ she adds.
Through her figurative oil paintings, the Bondi-based artist depicts the female form with varied representation, including fragmented body parts, and portraits of imagined women existing in fantastical, surreal worlds. Nicola’s most recent work—a portrait of her sister and Australian singer song-writer Missy Higgins, laying on the ground with her ukelele in hand—was recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize for 2024.
‘I usually like to create made up people because there is less pressure to get facial features correct, and I love how my people emerge slowly on the canvas, how I can change their features and expressions with a few strokes of paint,’ she says. ‘However, being in the Archibald Prize has given me more of a taste for doing portraits of real people, so I definitely want to do it again for next year—in fact, I have already found someone to paint!’
Making the trip from Bondi to Melbourne to paint her younger sister at home in her natural habitat, Nicola reflects on the process of her work for the 2024 Archibald Prize—finding Missy in her home studio recording a new album, and sneaking around quietly while gathering and arranging items to form the backdrop of the portrait in a way that wouldn’t disturb her while in the creative flow. The outcome; a striking portrait of the musician ‘completely absorbed in mentally working out her new song,’ reflects Nicola.
‘When she emerged from the studio, I put her in a lying down position, and as she lay there and I started sketching, I could tell she was still thinking about the new song—she saw her ukulele nearby and picked it up and started singing with it,’ she continues. ‘This was exactly the way I wanted to capture her, it’s one of the ways I see my little sister; such a deep thinker, so creative, she really lives and breathes her music.’
Inspired by artists and historical works such as John Currin, Lisa Yuskovage, Picasso’s blue period, Egon Schiele, Gustave Klimt, Maria Lassnig, Tamara de Lempika, and more recent works from Rute Merk, Nicola shares how motivation to paint can often be found in observing others in her industry; ‘seeing how other artists apply their paint to the canvas always makes me want to run straight back to the studio and get into it myself,’ she shares.
‘Inspiration has always come from people watching, in its various forms, and I think as a woman I’ve always been aware of comparing myself physically to the other women around me and in the media,’ reflects Nicola. ‘It’s a way of working out who and what you are—observing other bodies and watching changes happen in the body I inhabit... I think that is the reason I’ve always drawn and painted women, because it’s a way of exploring my own physical self,’ she adds.
With her first solo exhibition coming up at Nanda\Hobbs gallery in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Nicola has much to look forward to for what has already been a huge year of achievements. ‘The best lesson I’ve learned is to have patience,’ she says. ‘Keep at it and realise you will get there in the end if you put in the work.
For more information about Nicola’s work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
Nicola Higgins is inspired by artists and historical works such as John Currin, Lisa Yuskovage, Picasso’s blue period, Egon Schiele, Gustave Klimt, Maria Lassnig and Tamara de Lempika.
Ceramic work made during Nicola Higgins’ time at National Art School.
“I grew up in a very creative family... lots of singing and dancing and musical instruments being played (both my siblings are musicians), the sewing machine always being used to make clothes to go out in, and constant art and craft projects going on.”
Nicola Higgins in her Bondi studio in Sydney.
Nicola Higgins’ painting, Missy With Her Ukulele is a finalist in this year’s Archibald Prize.
Through her figurative oil paintings, Nicola Higgins depicts the female form with varied representation including fragmented body parts, and portraits of imagined women existing in fantastical, surreal worlds.
‘Drawing, painting and making things has always been a part of my being.’