Nathan Wilson

Nathan Wilson (Pakeha, b.1997) is an artist, writer, and performer from Tamaki Makaurau, whose multidisciplinary practice is a tentative investigation into the relationship between art and ideology. After studying politics and history at the University of Auckland, Wilson gained his second bachelor's degree, in Fine Art at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. Wilson’s interest in the visual arts is rooted in its connection to the political and the ideological, and his artistic output often takes the form of speculative critiques on this connection. Working predominantly in sculpture, installation, drawing, writing, and performance Wilson’s research-based methodology influences the medium and form of his work.

Could you recommend a favourite piece of mine?

gallery

January, 2024

The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

November, 2023

Detail: The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

In this detail shot we see the plethora of studio tests that all found a place in the final installation. Crafting things out of delicate material combinations meant that things would degrade over time, the more I fiddled with them or moved them around the final installation, this created organic layers of detail that added to the ruination of the installation.

November, 2023

Installation View: The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

Here we see a detail of the right side wall, with a mini litter in the bottom right, and a panel I created from salvaged wood that came from some packaging. I glued on newsprint to the rudimentary frame and then pressed clay into it, cutting and slashing some basic patterns and designs. When the clay dries it curls up the paper creating a delicate effect.

November, 2023

The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

Installation view: Here we see the skeletal frame of the litter itself, the was the nucleus for the installation. We also see the light pouring through the ceiling I built by rubbing clay into sheets of newsprint with my hands, then hanging them to dry on a network of struts and frames. When the clay hardened the paper acquired a ghostly, still quality.

November, 2023

Detail: The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

In this detail shot we see a close up of the bottom section of the litter. The frame was carelessly slathered in plaster, as you can see from littles chunks falling off revealing the wood underneath. During this project the combination of materials that resist each other lead to some beautiful and delicate moments. Every time I moved the litter a little more fell off, slowly decaying and degrading.

November, 2023

The Critical Exhumation and Architectural Transfiguration of a Litter

Installation view of my grad show presentation at Whitecliffe. This was the entryway to the installation.