Nicky Hirst
Lives and works in London
1993 – 1994 MA Art and Architecture, KIAD, Canterbury
1982 – 1985 BA Fine Art, Maidstone College of Art, Kent
1981 – 1982 Foundation Course, Jacob Kramer College, Leeds
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025
Domobaal, London
2022
Tell it Slant, Tenderfoot Invited Project (online)
The Electorate, Domobaal, London
Election Artist 2019 a commission to produce a work of art for the Parliamentary Art Collection
2021
MOCA London Web Exhibition @mocaondon_we (online)
2019
ALGORITHMS, GRAIL MOTHS, LARGISH TOM, MISTRAL HOG, LOAMS GIRTH, SHALOM GRIT, SOLAR MIGHT, ROAMS LIGHT, MORAL SIGHT, A GRIM SLOTH, A LOGS MIRTH, MORTAL SIGH
Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
2018
White Roses, The Eye Sees, Arles
Casement Arts, Folkestone
Elemental Works, Domobaal, London
Briar Rose, m2 Gallery, London
2017
Real Size, Domobaal, London
Invisible Mending, AMP London
2016
Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Cogliandrino, Basilicata, Italy
Curated by Stephen Nelson
2008
Morphology (with Doug Burton) curated by Michael Petry, Royal Academy Schools Gallery, London
2004
Indiana Ain’t Pink, Floor 30 Clifford Chance Building, London
2001
Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
2000
Fellowship Exhibition (with Mary Evans) Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1997
Perforated Observations, INIVA, London
1996
Cordon Sanitaire, Imperial War Museum, London
Cell 3, Barbican Foyer Gallery, Barbican Centre, London
Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
1995
Limited Edition Multiple, Soho House, London
1994
Wall Drawing, Homerton Hospital, London
Wall Drawing, Darlington Arts Centre
1993
Tongue and Groove, Centre 181 Gallery, London
Caught Looking, Dash Gallery, London
1991
Adam Gallery (with Roy Voss), London
Collective Gallery (with Jacqueline Jeffries), Edinburgh
1988
The Green Room Manchester
University Art Gallery (with Jacqueline Jeffries), Leeds
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025
Playtime, Ubicua Gallery, London
Ways of Seeing – Narrative – Humour – Nostalgia, Heath Robinson Museum, London
falling faintly faintly falling, curated by Belinda Worsley, Finch Gallery, London
2024
Light it Up: Winter Menagerie Tondocosmic Projects, London
All That Glitters, Ubicua Gallery, London
The Miniatures Challenge Exhibition, Canal Boat Contemporary, London
The Art of Living, curated by Poppy Whatmore, Hypha Project Space, London
Worlds, Still, on a Wire, curated by Scott McCracken, Canal Boat Contemporary, London
Seed Bomb curated by Ian Dawson, Newhaven Open Call 2024, Marine Workshops, Newhaven
Second Nature, Tremenheere Gallery, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall
The Tipping Point, Bell House, London
rose is a rose is a rose, Finch Gallery, London (touring – Paris, Milan, Manchester, New York)
Blink presents Room Share 5, Safe House 1, Peckham, London
Tableaux II: Painting as Stage, Cross Lane Projects, London
2023
Blink presents Room Share 4 selected by Dido Hallett, Min Angel, Lucy Soni, Lucienne O’Mara and Nicky Hirst at Safe House 1 during Peckham Festival, London
Windows and Thresholds (Beyond Closed Doors), Bell House, London
MUTE curated by Nicky Hirst, Ubicua Gallery, London
Artists included Steve Chapman, Andrew Cross, Tim Ellis, Peter Fraser, Jeffrey Knopf, Judy Milner, Cornelia Parker and Katie Paterson
2022
Hard Times, Koppel X, London
Artist Support Pledge: A Generous Space 2, The New Art Gallery, Walsall
Green, Bell House, London
Crucible, MASS Correspondence Course Mentors & Mentees 2020/21, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
M2 Artists: Recent Work 1, APT Gallery, London
Fieldwork, GroundWork Gallery, King’s Lynn
Starting the Line (The Big Draw 2022) venues tbc
AR-Mazing Tiger Trail, Singapore
2021
Turner Contemporary Open 2021, Turner Contemporary, Margate
Eutopia, Queensrollahouse and Excelsior Studios, London
Blink presents Room Share selected by Dido Hallett, Min Angel, Lucy Soni, Matt Lippiatt and Scott McCracken, Safe House 1 during Peckham Festival, London
Bits and Pieces curated by Ian Dawson, Newhaven Open Call, The Ship Inn, Newhaven
Frozen Asset/Material Gains curated by Peter Lamb and Martin Bennett, ArtMoorHouse, London
Pretty Ugly at Thames-Side curated by Andrew Ekins, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
Blink & You’ll Miss It, Part 1 The Gathering with Min Angel, R&F MO, Dido Hallett, Nicky Hirst, Catherine Lette, Lucy Soni and Asia Wahid, AMP London
Drawing Biennial 2021, Drawing Room, London
Recreational Grounds: Off Site curated by Fiona Grady, Anna Lytridou and Tim Ralston, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
2020
Real Time curated by Rebecca Geldard, Coleman Project Space, London
CUTS curated by Alexis Harding, Matthiesen Gallery, London
2019
Return of Come Kiss a Stranger, ‘Interdependence’ Art Licks Weekend, Why Don’t You…? HQ Satellite Space, London
Off the Page, Another Place Press, The Northern Eye International Photography Festival
Coventry Biennial 2019, Coventry
Backyard Sculpture, Domobaal, London
Work-Shop, Bell House, London
Drawing Biennial 2019, Drawing Room, London
2018
Lucky 7 Over The Rainbow curated by Lucy Soni, ‘Peripheries’ Art Licks Weekend, Why Don’t You . . .? HQ, London
Recreational Grounds II curated by Fiona Grady and Tim Ralston, Wendover House Ground Floor Car Park, London
Summer Exhibition 2018, Royal Academy of Arts, London
Dreaming Awake curated by Kim Thornton, Safe House 1, London
2017
Something and Nothing curated by Nicky Hirst including works by Matt Calderwood, Simon Callery, Angela de la Cruz, Vincent Hawkins, Nicky Hirst and Sara Mackillop, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
Humble as Hell curated by Roland Hicks including works by Susan Collis, Neil Gall, Roland Hicks, Nicky Hirst, Paul Housley, Duncan Macaskill, Stephen Palmer, Cathie Pilkington, Joel Tomlin and Richard Woods, Schwitters Merz Barn, Cumbria
The Word curated by Michael Petry including works by Colin Booth, Maria Chevska, Nathan Coley, Paul Coombs, Elizabeth Croft, Mark Flood, Lukas Göthman, Nicky Hirst, Joseph Imhauser, Jukka Korkeila, Liliane Lijn, Christina Mitrentse, Robert Montgomery, Bryan Mulvihill, Harvey Opgenorth, Michael Petry, Pilvi Takala and Gavin Turk, Helsinki Contemporary
Occasional Geometries: Rana Begum curates the Arts Council Collection, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Drawing Biennial 2017, Drawing Room London
2016
Radical Me curated by Howard Dyke including works by Paul Housley, Vicki Fornieles, David Cyrus Smith, Howard Dyke, Simon Bayliss, Claire Price, Lisa Penny, Tom Brown, Geraldine Swayne, Lucy Stein, Nicky Hirst, Marcus Cope, David Dipre, Kes Richardson, Tiago da Cunha, Dominic Kennedy, Samuel Bassett and Charlie Dutton, Tannery Projects, London
2015
Scenery co-curated by Alicja Dobrucka and Thomas Frangenberg including works by Rut Blees Luxemburg, Martin Creed, Alicja Dobrucka, Joseph Griffiths, Luke Gottelier, Nicky Hirst, Saron Hughes, Sarah Jones, Tim Mitchell, Joanna Piotrowska, Olivier Richon, David Rickard and Amikam Toren, The Surprisingly Passionate About Weddings Gallery London
Creekside Open 2015 selected by Lisa Milroy for APT Gallery, London
Drawing Biennial 2015, Drawing Room, London
2014
Death and Dying curated by David Lillington, Mag3 Projektraum, Vienna
Impress: Print Making Expanded in Contemporary Art including works by Roger Ackling, Anna Barriball, Paul Coldwell, Mat Collishaw, Jean Dubuffet, Mona Hartoum, Raphael Hefti, Nicky Hirst, Langlands & Bell, Roy Lichtenstein, Edward Lipski, Richard Long, Tim Mara, Cornelia Parker, Donald Rodney and Richard Wentworth, Courtauld Gallery, London
Project 05: Nicky Hirst, Penny Klepuszewska and Tom Lovelace, curated by Sarah Page, CAS Membership Programmes Manager, Contemporary Art Society, London
2013
Creekside Open 2013 selected by Paul Noble for APT Gallery, London
Drawing Biennial 2013, Drawing Room, London
2012
Grid including works by Leonardo Drew, Keith Coventry, Michael Samuels, Chris Succo, Penny Lamb, Mark Francis, Nicky Hirst, Henry Krokatsis, Biggs & Collings, Wycliffe Stutchbury and Dadamaino, Vigo Gallery London
2011
Sagacity curated by Roberto Ekholm including works by Cécile Emmanuelle Borra, Roberto Ekholm, Neil Gall, Nicky Hirst, Pablo A Padilla Jargstorf, Adrián Navarro, Michael Petry and Daniel Pettitt, Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery London
Drawing Biennial 2011, Drawing Room, London
2010
Prototypes and Experiments, Aram Gallery, London
2009
Drawing Biennial 2009, Drawing Room, London
2008
Ghost Trade and the Spectre of Change, Deptford X, London
2007
The Last Show, Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
2006
Black Box curated by Lela Budde and Peter Suchin, E:vent Gallery, London
Out of Place, New Art Gallery, Walsall
The World is Turning including works by Christiane Baumgartner, Sjoerd Buisman, Daniel Gustav Cramer, Nicky Hirst, Sara Mackillop, Mike Marshall, Kate Scrivener, Jem Southam and Finlay Taylor, Domobaal London
2005
Showcase selected by Thomas Frangenberg, South London Gallery, London
Showcase selected by Thomas Frangenberg, City Art Gallery, Edinburgh
Drawing Two Hundred – Biennial Fundraiser, Drawing Room, London
2004
6000 Chairs, Crystal Palace Park, London
Collage curated by Sacha Craddock, Graham Gussin, Stephen Hepworth and David Risley, Bloomberg Space, London
Prospects Drawing Prize 2004, Tea Building, London
2003
Remember, Remember . . . Pugh, Pugh, Berlin
Infallible: In Search of the Real George Eliot curated by Roxy Walsh including works by Linda Aloysius, Jordan Baseman, George Baxter, Thomas Bewick, Giovanni del Biondo, Hans Burgkmair, Le Ecole de Burrows et Bob Smith, Cullinan and Richards, Artlab, Volker Eichelmann/Roland Rust, Mark Fairnington, Paul Flannery, Andrew Grassie, Tony Halliday, Nicky Hirst, Brigitte Jurack, Ian Kiaer, L.S.Lowry, Aristide Maillol, Eduard Manet, Sara Mackillop, João Penalva, Annika Sundvik, Eve Sussman, Willem Van de Velde, Roxy Walsh, Jacob de Wit and Ralph Wolf, Mead Gallery Warwick Arts Centre, Huddersfield Art Gallery, Hatton Gallery Newcastle, APT Gallery, London
2002
Fabric, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal
Viewpoints, Eagle Gallery, London
Showhouse, PM Gallery and House, London
Prospects 2002 Drawing Prize, Essor Gallery Project Space, London
2001
The End is Nigh, CSKX, London
Multiplication, British Council touring exhibition
2000
One Room curated by Terry Smith, The Factory, Shepherdess Walk, London
1999
East Wing Collection, Courtauld Institute of Art, London
Day for Night, Museum of Installation, London
Ninenineninetynine, Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
to be continued > The New Art Gallery Walsall Project
Manufacturers, Childers Street, London
1997
Kind of English, Die Box, Berlin
Whenever, Commercial Too, London
Home, Margaret Harvey Gallery, St. Albans
Musée Imaginaire, Part 2, Museum of Installation, London
A Cloudburst of Material Possessions: A Fantasy on a Drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, curated by Paul Bonaventura, National Touring Exhibitions, South Bank Centre, London
1996
Between Patients curated by Ben Keith including works by Nicholas Bolton, Adam Caruso, David Cheeseman, Nicky Hirst, Anna Mossman, Roy Voss and Stewart Wilson, 10 Swan Yard/ Caruso St John Architects, London
Whitechapel Open, Commercial Too, London
1995
Konrad Lorenzo’s Duck curated by Paola Piccato, including works by Gianfranco Botto, Roberto Bruno, Maurizio Cattalan, Helen Chadwick, Matt Collishaw, John Frankland, Letizia Galli, Nicky Hirst, Stephen Nelson and Maurizio Vetrugno, Ex-Lanificio Bona, Turin
House No Garden including works by Karl Blossfeldt, Monica Bonvicini, Nicky Hirst, LEO, Sebastian Lowsley-Williams, Claudia Schmacke, Gregor Schneider and Terry Smith, CSKX, London
1994
Whitechapel Open, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
University Art Gallery, Leeds
1993
Pet Show, 69 Union Street, London
Snapshots: Naomi Dines, Nicky Hirst, Johnny Spencer and Edward Chell, Peter Doig, Mark Francis presented by Anthony Wilkinson at the Eagle Gallery, London
Peripheral States including works by Tacita Dean, Nicky Hirst, Emma Rushton and Suzanne Walker curated by Sarah Kent, Benjamin Rhodes Gallery, London
1992
Brick Lane Open (1) Heritage Centre, London
CSKX Studios, London
Whitechapel Open, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
1991
South Bank Picture Show, Royal Festival Hall, London
1990
Whitechapel Open 1990, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
1987
New Art in Yorkshire, Leeds City Art Gallery
Surrealism Surveyed, Leeds City Art Gallery
1986
Open Art ‘86, Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield
Home is where the art is (should be), St Paul’s Gallery, Leeds
Public Art Commissions
2022
New Union Wharf, Cubitt Town, London
Art Consultant: Jeni Walwin
Architect: Jestico and Whiles
Client: L&Q and East Thames
2021
Westbourne Park Baptist Church and Dolphin Living, London
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Architect: Allies and Morrison
Client: Dolphin Living
2020
Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Oxford
Architect: Make Architects
Client: University of Oxford
2019
Y Bwthyn Macmillan Specialist Care Unit, Wales
Art Consultant: Willis Newson
Architect: KKE Architects
Client: Cwm Taf University Health Board
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London
Architect: Sonnemann Toon Architects
Client: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
2017
Oxfordshire County Library, Westgate, Oxford
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Client: Westgate Oxford Alliance Ltd Partnership
2016
Vista Residential Chelsea Bridge, London
Art Consultant: Up Projects
Architect: Scott Brownrigg
Client: Berkeley Homes
2014
Kingfisher Court Mental Healthcare Facility, Radlett, Hertfordshire
Art Consultant: Contemporary Art Society
Architect: P+HS
Client: Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2012
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London
Art Consultant: Nour Wali
Architect: Squire and Partners
Client: Prime Development
Passmores Secondary School, Harlow, Essex
Art Consultant: Place Services
Architect: Jestico and Whiles
Client: Essex County Council
2011
Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hertfordshire
Architect: Hawkins\Brown
Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, funded by Arts Council England
Commissioned by Andrew Cross
New Pharmacy Manufacturing Facility, Guy’s Hospital, London
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Client: Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity
Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Art Consultant: Artlink
Client: Oxford Hospitals Charity
2009
Bracknell and Wokingham Higher Education College, Bracknell
Art Consultant: Jeni Walwin
Architect: Ellis Williams
2005 – 2008
Biochemistry Building, University of Oxford
Art Consultant: Louise O’Reilly
Architect: Hawkins\Brown
Client: University of Oxford
2000
At and the Travelling Landscape, Sustrans National Cycle Route Public Art Commission, Nottingham
1997
RSA Art for Architecture Award Scheme, HIV Unit Royal Free Hospital, London
Architect: Stillman Eastwick-Field Partnership
Publications and Press
2019
U.K. Election Artist Nicky Hirst: Reflects on ‘Fractured and Febrile’ Campaign by Sam Gaskin, published in Ocula on 13 December 2019 https://ocula.com/magazine/art-news/official-uk-election-artist-nicky-hirst-refle/
2019 – How was it for you? #2: Nicky Hirst, official artist for the 2019 general election, a-n The Artists Information Company online https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/2019-how-was-it-for-you-2-nicky-hirst-official-artist-for-the-2019-general-election/
ALGORITHMS solo exhibition at Exeter Phoenix, review by Martin Holman in Art Monthly issue no 429, September 2019
2018
Artists + Instagram: Nicky Hirst, Seeking Serendipity by Richard Taylor, a-n The Artists Information Company online https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/artists-instagram-nicky-hirst-seeking-serendipity/
The Word Is Art by Michael Petry published by Thames and Hudson ISBN-10: 0500239665
2017
Occasional Geometries, The Art Newspaper ‘In the Frame’, July 2017
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/art-diary/occasional-geometries-yorkshire-sculpture-park/
https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/merz-barn-exhibition-humble-hell-artworks-kurt-schwitters-final-work-space/
London Round-Up, Art Monthly by Kathryn Lloyd, June 2017
Nicky Hirst – Real Size, review in Studio International by Veronica Simpson May 2017
it is something, it is nothing, published by Another Place Press, Edition of 150
2014
Significant Ordinary Objects compiled by Nicky Hirst, Kingfisher Court Mental Healthcare Facility, Edition of 1000
http://www.contemporaryartsociety.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/KingfisherCourtFXColumn.pdf
2009
Wild Blue Yonder by Jeni Walwin https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/wild-blue-yonder-a-project-by-nicky-hirst.pdf
https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/case-study-wild-blue-yonder-by-jeni-walwin.pdf
2008
Morphology: Doug Burton and Nicky Hirst ISBN: 978-0-9557699-2-4
2003
Infallible: In Search of the Real George Eliot ISBN: 1-873352-83-2
2000
The Saatchi Gift to the Arts Council Collection ISBN: 1-85332-207-5
1999
Day for Night, Museum of Installation ISBN: 1-903209-00-5
Young British Art: The Saatchi Decade ISBN: 1-861540-33-7
Public Art Journal, March 1999, Art for Architecture by Jonathan Darke
Bloom: Contemporary Art Garden ISBN: 88-86429-35-5
RSA Journal 4/4 Art for Architecture by Jes Fernie, pages 23-25
Toys, Errant Bodies, publisher Small Press Magazine, ISBN 0-9655-5700-6
Standing in the Shadows, Waiting in the Wings’ by Francis Mckee
1998
Artist-in-Research 1996-1998, exploring the notion of research in relation to contemporary visual arts practice. Participating artists include: Clare Charnley, Monika Dutta, Edwina fitzPatrick, Nicky Hirst, Indika Perera and Louise K. Wilson, INIVA publication ISBN: 1-899846-24-7
1997
Flowers: Errant Bodies ISBN: 0-9655-5700-6
1996
de-, dis-, ex-. volume 1, ex-cavating modernism ISBN: 1-901033-05-8
Imperial War Museum and Anthony Wilkinson Fine Art Review by Sotiris Kyriacou, Art Monthly no.197
RIBA Interiors, February 1996, Feast of Colours, pages 14-19
1995
Konrad Lorenz’s Duck catalogue essay by Paola Piccato
1993
Peripheral States: Tacita Dean, Emma Rushton, Nicky Hirst and Suzanne Walker, catalogue essay by Sarah Kent
Caught Looking publication with an essay by Gregor Muir
Shaping Up, Time Out review by Tania Guha
1992
Towards an Aesthetic of Nature in Contemporary Art, Nicky Hirst and Rebecca Salter, Cambridge Architecture Journal 1992, essay by Charlotte Klonk, pages 11-14
1991
Time Out review by David Lillington, Adam Gallery, London
Projects
2019
Venice Agendas The Market: a series of photographs exploring the impact of the art market on artists, institutions, curators and writers, 58th International Art Exhibition, May You Live In Interesting Times, funded by Arts Council England
2018
Pjoys is a new purpose-led pyjama brand which aims to make mental health an everyday conversation. Limited edition pyjamas by Nicky Hirst, Mad C, Remi Rough and Augustine Kofie
2016
Venice Agendas Access All Areas: Artist interventions by Tony Heaton and Nicky Hirst curated by Mark Segal, 15th International Architecture Biennale, Venice
Collaboration with Remi Rough, Beer Shop Brock Street Mural, Nunhead, London
2014
Judge for Open Exhibition 2014, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
2008
Artist advisor for Artfutures with curator Jeni Walwin, Contemporary Art Society, London
2005 – 2008
Consultant artist for Salt Bridges, Biochemistry Building, University of Oxford
2003
Healthy Hospitals, CABE with design team: Mcdowell and Benedetti Architects, Professor Tim Oliver, Space Syntax, Virtual Artworks and Terry Jones
1997 – 99
Art in Hospitals collaboration with Mark Francis, Public Art Development Trust and the Kings Fund
1997
Artist in Research Residency at Stillman Eastwick-Field Architects, initiated and funded by INIVA London
Collections
Arthur Anderson & Co Collection
Arts Council Collection
Ashmolean Collection
Bradford Metropolitan Council Collection
British Council
BUPA Collection
Clifford Chance Collection
Doncaster Borough Council Collection
Fidelity Collection
GOSH Art Collection
Government Art Collection
Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council Collection
Huddersfield Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery
Parliamentary Art Collection
Penguin Books Collection
Saatchi Collection
Sheffield City Art Gallery
Private Collections
Lives and works in London
1993 – 1994 MA Art and Architecture, KIAD, Canterbury
1982 – 1985 BA Fine Art, Maidstone College of Art, Kent
1981 – 1982 Foundation Course, Jacob Kramer College, Leeds
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025
Domobaal, London
2022
Tell it Slant, Tenderfoot Invited Project (online)
The Electorate, Domobaal, London
Election Artist 2019 a commission to produce a work of art for the Parliamentary Art Collection
2021
MOCA London Web Exhibition @mocaondon_we (online)
2019
ALGORITHMS, GRAIL MOTHS, LARGISH TOM, MISTRAL HOG, LOAMS GIRTH, SHALOM GRIT, SOLAR MIGHT, ROAMS LIGHT, MORAL SIGHT, A GRIM SLOTH, A LOGS MIRTH, MORTAL SIGH
Exeter Phoenix, Exeter
2018
White Roses, The Eye Sees, Arles
Casement Arts, Folkestone
Elemental Works, Domobaal, London
Briar Rose, m2 Gallery, London
2017
Real Size, Domobaal, London
Invisible Mending, AMP London
2016
Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Cogliandrino, Basilicata, Italy
Curated by Stephen Nelson
2008
Morphology (with Doug Burton) curated by Michael Petry, Royal Academy Schools Gallery, London
2004
Indiana Ain’t Pink, Floor 30 Clifford Chance Building, London
2001
Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
2000
Fellowship Exhibition (with Mary Evans) Byam Shaw School of Art, London
1997
Perforated Observations, INIVA, London
1996
Cordon Sanitaire, Imperial War Museum, London
Cell 3, Barbican Foyer Gallery, Barbican Centre, London
Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
1995
Limited Edition Multiple, Soho House, London
1994
Wall Drawing, Homerton Hospital, London
Wall Drawing, Darlington Arts Centre
1993
Tongue and Groove, Centre 181 Gallery, London
Caught Looking, Dash Gallery, London
1991
Adam Gallery (with Roy Voss), London
Collective Gallery (with Jacqueline Jeffries), Edinburgh
1988
The Green Room Manchester
University Art Gallery (with Jacqueline Jeffries), Leeds
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025
Playtime, Ubicua Gallery, London
Ways of Seeing – Narrative – Humour – Nostalgia, Heath Robinson Museum, London
falling faintly faintly falling, curated by Belinda Worsley, Finch Gallery, London
2024
Light it Up: Winter Menagerie Tondocosmic Projects, London
All That Glitters, Ubicua Gallery, London
The Miniatures Challenge Exhibition, Canal Boat Contemporary, London
The Art of Living, curated by Poppy Whatmore, Hypha Project Space, London
Worlds, Still, on a Wire, curated by Scott McCracken, Canal Boat Contemporary, London
Seed Bomb curated by Ian Dawson, Newhaven Open Call 2024, Marine Workshops, Newhaven
Second Nature, Tremenheere Gallery, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall
The Tipping Point, Bell House, London
rose is a rose is a rose, Finch Gallery, London (touring – Paris, Milan, Manchester, New York)
Blink presents Room Share 5, Safe House 1, Peckham, London
Tableaux II: Painting as Stage, Cross Lane Projects, London
2023
Blink presents Room Share 4 selected by Dido Hallett, Min Angel, Lucy Soni, Lucienne O’Mara and Nicky Hirst at Safe House 1 during Peckham Festival, London
Windows and Thresholds (Beyond Closed Doors), Bell House, London
MUTE curated by Nicky Hirst, Ubicua Gallery, London
Artists included Steve Chapman, Andrew Cross, Tim Ellis, Peter Fraser, Jeffrey Knopf, Judy Milner, Cornelia Parker and Katie Paterson
2022
Hard Times, Koppel X, London
Artist Support Pledge: A Generous Space 2, The New Art Gallery, Walsall
Green, Bell House, London
Crucible, MASS Correspondence Course Mentors & Mentees 2020/21, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
M2 Artists: Recent Work 1, APT Gallery, London
Fieldwork, GroundWork Gallery, King’s Lynn
Starting the Line (The Big Draw 2022) venues tbc
AR-Mazing Tiger Trail, Singapore
2021
Turner Contemporary Open 2021, Turner Contemporary, Margate
Eutopia, Queensrollahouse and Excelsior Studios, London
Blink presents Room Share selected by Dido Hallett, Min Angel, Lucy Soni, Matt Lippiatt and Scott McCracken, Safe House 1 during Peckham Festival, London
Bits and Pieces curated by Ian Dawson, Newhaven Open Call, The Ship Inn, Newhaven
Frozen Asset/Material Gains curated by Peter Lamb and Martin Bennett, ArtMoorHouse, London
Pretty Ugly at Thames-Side curated by Andrew Ekins, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
Blink & You’ll Miss It, Part 1 The Gathering with Min Angel, R&F MO, Dido Hallett, Nicky Hirst, Catherine Lette, Lucy Soni and Asia Wahid, AMP London
Drawing Biennial 2021, Drawing Room, London
Recreational Grounds: Off Site curated by Fiona Grady, Anna Lytridou and Tim Ralston, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
2020
Real Time curated by Rebecca Geldard, Coleman Project Space, London
CUTS curated by Alexis Harding, Matthiesen Gallery, London
2019
Return of Come Kiss a Stranger, ‘Interdependence’ Art Licks Weekend, Why Don’t You…? HQ Satellite Space, London
Off the Page, Another Place Press, The Northern Eye International Photography Festival
Coventry Biennial 2019, Coventry
Backyard Sculpture, Domobaal, London
Work-Shop, Bell House, London
Drawing Biennial 2019, Drawing Room, London
2018
Lucky 7 Over The Rainbow curated by Lucy Soni, ‘Peripheries’ Art Licks Weekend, Why Don’t You . . .? HQ, London
Recreational Grounds II curated by Fiona Grady and Tim Ralston, Wendover House Ground Floor Car Park, London
Summer Exhibition 2018, Royal Academy of Arts, London
Dreaming Awake curated by Kim Thornton, Safe House 1, London
2017
Something and Nothing curated by Nicky Hirst including works by Matt Calderwood, Simon Callery, Angela de la Cruz, Vincent Hawkins, Nicky Hirst and Sara Mackillop, Thames-Side Studios Gallery, London
Humble as Hell curated by Roland Hicks including works by Susan Collis, Neil Gall, Roland Hicks, Nicky Hirst, Paul Housley, Duncan Macaskill, Stephen Palmer, Cathie Pilkington, Joel Tomlin and Richard Woods, Schwitters Merz Barn, Cumbria
The Word curated by Michael Petry including works by Colin Booth, Maria Chevska, Nathan Coley, Paul Coombs, Elizabeth Croft, Mark Flood, Lukas Göthman, Nicky Hirst, Joseph Imhauser, Jukka Korkeila, Liliane Lijn, Christina Mitrentse, Robert Montgomery, Bryan Mulvihill, Harvey Opgenorth, Michael Petry, Pilvi Takala and Gavin Turk, Helsinki Contemporary
Occasional Geometries: Rana Begum curates the Arts Council Collection, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Drawing Biennial 2017, Drawing Room London
2016
Radical Me curated by Howard Dyke including works by Paul Housley, Vicki Fornieles, David Cyrus Smith, Howard Dyke, Simon Bayliss, Claire Price, Lisa Penny, Tom Brown, Geraldine Swayne, Lucy Stein, Nicky Hirst, Marcus Cope, David Dipre, Kes Richardson, Tiago da Cunha, Dominic Kennedy, Samuel Bassett and Charlie Dutton, Tannery Projects, London
2015
Scenery co-curated by Alicja Dobrucka and Thomas Frangenberg including works by Rut Blees Luxemburg, Martin Creed, Alicja Dobrucka, Joseph Griffiths, Luke Gottelier, Nicky Hirst, Saron Hughes, Sarah Jones, Tim Mitchell, Joanna Piotrowska, Olivier Richon, David Rickard and Amikam Toren, The Surprisingly Passionate About Weddings Gallery London
Creekside Open 2015 selected by Lisa Milroy for APT Gallery, London
Drawing Biennial 2015, Drawing Room, London
2014
Death and Dying curated by David Lillington, Mag3 Projektraum, Vienna
Impress: Print Making Expanded in Contemporary Art including works by Roger Ackling, Anna Barriball, Paul Coldwell, Mat Collishaw, Jean Dubuffet, Mona Hartoum, Raphael Hefti, Nicky Hirst, Langlands & Bell, Roy Lichtenstein, Edward Lipski, Richard Long, Tim Mara, Cornelia Parker, Donald Rodney and Richard Wentworth, Courtauld Gallery, London
Project 05: Nicky Hirst, Penny Klepuszewska and Tom Lovelace, curated by Sarah Page, CAS Membership Programmes Manager, Contemporary Art Society, London
2013
Creekside Open 2013 selected by Paul Noble for APT Gallery, London
Drawing Biennial 2013, Drawing Room, London
2012
Grid including works by Leonardo Drew, Keith Coventry, Michael Samuels, Chris Succo, Penny Lamb, Mark Francis, Nicky Hirst, Henry Krokatsis, Biggs & Collings, Wycliffe Stutchbury and Dadamaino, Vigo Gallery London
2011
Sagacity curated by Roberto Ekholm including works by Cécile Emmanuelle Borra, Roberto Ekholm, Neil Gall, Nicky Hirst, Pablo A Padilla Jargstorf, Adrián Navarro, Michael Petry and Daniel Pettitt, Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery London
Drawing Biennial 2011, Drawing Room, London
2010
Prototypes and Experiments, Aram Gallery, London
2009
Drawing Biennial 2009, Drawing Room, London
2008
Ghost Trade and the Spectre of Change, Deptford X, London
2007
The Last Show, Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
2006
Black Box curated by Lela Budde and Peter Suchin, E:vent Gallery, London
Out of Place, New Art Gallery, Walsall
The World is Turning including works by Christiane Baumgartner, Sjoerd Buisman, Daniel Gustav Cramer, Nicky Hirst, Sara Mackillop, Mike Marshall, Kate Scrivener, Jem Southam and Finlay Taylor, Domobaal London
2005
Showcase selected by Thomas Frangenberg, South London Gallery, London
Showcase selected by Thomas Frangenberg, City Art Gallery, Edinburgh
Drawing Two Hundred – Biennial Fundraiser, Drawing Room, London
2004
6000 Chairs, Crystal Palace Park, London
Collage curated by Sacha Craddock, Graham Gussin, Stephen Hepworth and David Risley, Bloomberg Space, London
Prospects Drawing Prize 2004, Tea Building, London
2003
Remember, Remember . . . Pugh, Pugh, Berlin
Infallible: In Search of the Real George Eliot curated by Roxy Walsh including works by Linda Aloysius, Jordan Baseman, George Baxter, Thomas Bewick, Giovanni del Biondo, Hans Burgkmair, Le Ecole de Burrows et Bob Smith, Cullinan and Richards, Artlab, Volker Eichelmann/Roland Rust, Mark Fairnington, Paul Flannery, Andrew Grassie, Tony Halliday, Nicky Hirst, Brigitte Jurack, Ian Kiaer, L.S.Lowry, Aristide Maillol, Eduard Manet, Sara Mackillop, João Penalva, Annika Sundvik, Eve Sussman, Willem Van de Velde, Roxy Walsh, Jacob de Wit and Ralph Wolf, Mead Gallery Warwick Arts Centre, Huddersfield Art Gallery, Hatton Gallery Newcastle, APT Gallery, London
2002
Fabric, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal
Viewpoints, Eagle Gallery, London
Showhouse, PM Gallery and House, London
Prospects 2002 Drawing Prize, Essor Gallery Project Space, London
2001
The End is Nigh, CSKX, London
Multiplication, British Council touring exhibition
2000
One Room curated by Terry Smith, The Factory, Shepherdess Walk, London
1999
East Wing Collection, Courtauld Institute of Art, London
Day for Night, Museum of Installation, London
Ninenineninetynine, Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London
to be continued > The New Art Gallery Walsall Project
Manufacturers, Childers Street, London
1997
Kind of English, Die Box, Berlin
Whenever, Commercial Too, London
Home, Margaret Harvey Gallery, St. Albans
Musée Imaginaire, Part 2, Museum of Installation, London
A Cloudburst of Material Possessions: A Fantasy on a Drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, curated by Paul Bonaventura, National Touring Exhibitions, South Bank Centre, London
1996
Between Patients curated by Ben Keith including works by Nicholas Bolton, Adam Caruso, David Cheeseman, Nicky Hirst, Anna Mossman, Roy Voss and Stewart Wilson, 10 Swan Yard/ Caruso St John Architects, London
Whitechapel Open, Commercial Too, London
1995
Konrad Lorenzo’s Duck curated by Paola Piccato, including works by Gianfranco Botto, Roberto Bruno, Maurizio Cattalan, Helen Chadwick, Matt Collishaw, John Frankland, Letizia Galli, Nicky Hirst, Stephen Nelson and Maurizio Vetrugno, Ex-Lanificio Bona, Turin
House No Garden including works by Karl Blossfeldt, Monica Bonvicini, Nicky Hirst, LEO, Sebastian Lowsley-Williams, Claudia Schmacke, Gregor Schneider and Terry Smith, CSKX, London
1994
Whitechapel Open, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
University Art Gallery, Leeds
1993
Pet Show, 69 Union Street, London
Snapshots: Naomi Dines, Nicky Hirst, Johnny Spencer and Edward Chell, Peter Doig, Mark Francis presented by Anthony Wilkinson at the Eagle Gallery, London
Peripheral States including works by Tacita Dean, Nicky Hirst, Emma Rushton and Suzanne Walker curated by Sarah Kent, Benjamin Rhodes Gallery, London
1992
Brick Lane Open (1) Heritage Centre, London
CSKX Studios, London
Whitechapel Open, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
1991
South Bank Picture Show, Royal Festival Hall, London
1990
Whitechapel Open 1990, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London
1987
New Art in Yorkshire, Leeds City Art Gallery
Surrealism Surveyed, Leeds City Art Gallery
1986
Open Art ‘86, Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield
Home is where the art is (should be), St Paul’s Gallery, Leeds
Public Art Commissions
2022
New Union Wharf, Cubitt Town, London
Art Consultant: Jeni Walwin
Architect: Jestico and Whiles
Client: L&Q and East Thames
2021
Westbourne Park Baptist Church and Dolphin Living, London
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Architect: Allies and Morrison
Client: Dolphin Living
2020
Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Oxford
Architect: Make Architects
Client: University of Oxford
2019
Y Bwthyn Macmillan Specialist Care Unit, Wales
Art Consultant: Willis Newson
Architect: KKE Architects
Client: Cwm Taf University Health Board
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London
Architect: Sonnemann Toon Architects
Client: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
2017
Oxfordshire County Library, Westgate, Oxford
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Client: Westgate Oxford Alliance Ltd Partnership
2016
Vista Residential Chelsea Bridge, London
Art Consultant: Up Projects
Architect: Scott Brownrigg
Client: Berkeley Homes
2014
Kingfisher Court Mental Healthcare Facility, Radlett, Hertfordshire
Art Consultant: Contemporary Art Society
Architect: P+HS
Client: Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2012
Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London
Art Consultant: Nour Wali
Architect: Squire and Partners
Client: Prime Development
Passmores Secondary School, Harlow, Essex
Art Consultant: Place Services
Architect: Jestico and Whiles
Client: Essex County Council
2011
Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus, Hertfordshire
Architect: Hawkins\Brown
Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, funded by Arts Council England
Commissioned by Andrew Cross
New Pharmacy Manufacturing Facility, Guy’s Hospital, London
Art Consultant: Modus Operandi
Client: Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity
Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Art Consultant: Artlink
Client: Oxford Hospitals Charity
2009
Bracknell and Wokingham Higher Education College, Bracknell
Art Consultant: Jeni Walwin
Architect: Ellis Williams
2005 – 2008
Biochemistry Building, University of Oxford
Art Consultant: Louise O’Reilly
Architect: Hawkins\Brown
Client: University of Oxford
2000
At and the Travelling Landscape, Sustrans National Cycle Route Public Art Commission, Nottingham
1997
RSA Art for Architecture Award Scheme, HIV Unit Royal Free Hospital, London
Architect: Stillman Eastwick-Field Partnership
Publications and Press
2019
U.K. Election Artist Nicky Hirst: Reflects on ‘Fractured and Febrile’ Campaign by Sam Gaskin, published in Ocula on 13 December 2019 https://ocula.com/magazine/art-news/official-uk-election-artist-nicky-hirst-refle/
2019 – How was it for you? #2: Nicky Hirst, official artist for the 2019 general election, a-n The Artists Information Company online https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/2019-how-was-it-for-you-2-nicky-hirst-official-artist-for-the-2019-general-election/
ALGORITHMS solo exhibition at Exeter Phoenix, review by Martin Holman in Art Monthly issue no 429, September 2019
2018
Artists + Instagram: Nicky Hirst, Seeking Serendipity by Richard Taylor, a-n The Artists Information Company online https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/artists-instagram-nicky-hirst-seeking-serendipity/
The Word Is Art by Michael Petry published by Thames and Hudson ISBN-10: 0500239665
2017
Occasional Geometries, The Art Newspaper ‘In the Frame’, July 2017
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/art-diary/occasional-geometries-yorkshire-sculpture-park/
https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/merz-barn-exhibition-humble-hell-artworks-kurt-schwitters-final-work-space/
London Round-Up, Art Monthly by Kathryn Lloyd, June 2017
Nicky Hirst – Real Size, review in Studio International by Veronica Simpson May 2017
it is something, it is nothing, published by Another Place Press, Edition of 150
2014
Significant Ordinary Objects compiled by Nicky Hirst, Kingfisher Court Mental Healthcare Facility, Edition of 1000
http://www.contemporaryartsociety.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/KingfisherCourtFXColumn.pdf
2009
Wild Blue Yonder by Jeni Walwin https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/wild-blue-yonder-a-project-by-nicky-hirst.pdf
https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/case-study-wild-blue-yonder-by-jeni-walwin.pdf
2008
Morphology: Doug Burton and Nicky Hirst ISBN: 978-0-9557699-2-4
2003
Infallible: In Search of the Real George Eliot ISBN: 1-873352-83-2
2000
The Saatchi Gift to the Arts Council Collection ISBN: 1-85332-207-5
1999
Day for Night, Museum of Installation ISBN: 1-903209-00-5
Young British Art: The Saatchi Decade ISBN: 1-861540-33-7
Public Art Journal, March 1999, Art for Architecture by Jonathan Darke
Bloom: Contemporary Art Garden ISBN: 88-86429-35-5
RSA Journal 4/4 Art for Architecture by Jes Fernie, pages 23-25
Toys, Errant Bodies, publisher Small Press Magazine, ISBN 0-9655-5700-6
Standing in the Shadows, Waiting in the Wings’ by Francis Mckee
1998
Artist-in-Research 1996-1998, exploring the notion of research in relation to contemporary visual arts practice. Participating artists include: Clare Charnley, Monika Dutta, Edwina fitzPatrick, Nicky Hirst, Indika Perera and Louise K. Wilson, INIVA publication ISBN: 1-899846-24-7
1997
Flowers: Errant Bodies ISBN: 0-9655-5700-6
1996
de-, dis-, ex-. volume 1, ex-cavating modernism ISBN: 1-901033-05-8
Imperial War Museum and Anthony Wilkinson Fine Art Review by Sotiris Kyriacou, Art Monthly no.197
RIBA Interiors, February 1996, Feast of Colours, pages 14-19
1995
Konrad Lorenz’s Duck catalogue essay by Paola Piccato
1993
Peripheral States: Tacita Dean, Emma Rushton, Nicky Hirst and Suzanne Walker, catalogue essay by Sarah Kent
Caught Looking publication with an essay by Gregor Muir
Shaping Up, Time Out review by Tania Guha
1992
Towards an Aesthetic of Nature in Contemporary Art, Nicky Hirst and Rebecca Salter, Cambridge Architecture Journal 1992, essay by Charlotte Klonk, pages 11-14
1991
Time Out review by David Lillington, Adam Gallery, London
Projects
2019
Venice Agendas The Market: a series of photographs exploring the impact of the art market on artists, institutions, curators and writers, 58th International Art Exhibition, May You Live In Interesting Times, funded by Arts Council England
2018
Pjoys is a new purpose-led pyjama brand which aims to make mental health an everyday conversation. Limited edition pyjamas by Nicky Hirst, Mad C, Remi Rough and Augustine Kofie
2016
Venice Agendas Access All Areas: Artist interventions by Tony Heaton and Nicky Hirst curated by Mark Segal, 15th International Architecture Biennale, Venice
Collaboration with Remi Rough, Beer Shop Brock Street Mural, Nunhead, London
2014
Judge for Open Exhibition 2014, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
2008
Artist advisor for Artfutures with curator Jeni Walwin, Contemporary Art Society, London
2005 – 2008
Consultant artist for Salt Bridges, Biochemistry Building, University of Oxford
2003
Healthy Hospitals, CABE with design team: Mcdowell and Benedetti Architects, Professor Tim Oliver, Space Syntax, Virtual Artworks and Terry Jones
1997 – 99
Art in Hospitals collaboration with Mark Francis, Public Art Development Trust and the Kings Fund
1997
Artist in Research Residency at Stillman Eastwick-Field Architects, initiated and funded by INIVA London
Collections
Arthur Anderson & Co Collection
Arts Council Collection
Ashmolean Collection
Bradford Metropolitan Council Collection
British Council
BUPA Collection
Clifford Chance Collection
Doncaster Borough Council Collection
Fidelity Collection
GOSH Art Collection
Government Art Collection
Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council Collection
Huddersfield Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery
Parliamentary Art Collection
Penguin Books Collection
Saatchi Collection
Sheffield City Art Gallery
Private Collections