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 images 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 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 also been included in many group exhibitions in London such as 'One Year On' at 72 Theobalds Road in 2011; Garage Show at Royal College Street in 2010; Postcards From Dystopia at Nolias Gallery in 2009; 'Interim Show' at Electricians Shop in 2008; 'Adopted Art' at Cafe Royal in 2008 and 'Interim Show' at Maddox St. Gallery in 2007.