Born in Norfolk in 1982, London-based artist Nicholas McLeod graduated in Fine Art from City And Guilds Of London Art School in 2009.
McLeod is intrigued by abandoned places, wastelands and crime scenes which he gathers from films, documentaries and the internet as source material for his work. Taking the ambiguity and banality in them as a starting point, his painted landscapes indicate that some event has taken place, or is just about to, but nothing is explicitly revealed. McLeod creates tension by flicking, pouring and throwing paint at the surface to disrupt the image and enhance the visual tension and unease. "I see the poured paint as a kind of curtain or veil," he explains, "which acts as a device by which the forms are hidden, distorted and bleached out."
McLeod was awarded the Threadneedle Prize Visitor's Choice Award 2011, The Norman Ackroyd Award for Printmaking in 2009 and the Printmaking Prize for Technical Excellence: City and Guilds of London Art School in 2007. His work has been included in group exhibitions including 'Threadneedle Prize exhibition' at the Mall Galleries (London, 2011); 'One Year On' at 72 Theobalds Road (London, 2011); Garage Show at Royal College Street in (London, 2010); Postcards From Dystopia at Nolias Gallery (London,2009); 'Interim Show' at Electricians Shop (London, 2008); 'Adopted Art' at Cafe Royal (London, 2008) and 'Interim Show' at Maddox St. Gallery (London, 2007).