Photo Album Note

Associate Artist with Backlit Gallery Nottingham UK - Go to Google+ Nick Gear button to view the Photo Albums

Monday 17 December 2012

'Zola's Landscap'e N. Gear 2012 (Still from the video)
In my latest video piece 'Zola's Landscape' I have thought about the way in which Emile Zola wrote of how artwork is a window out onto creation. Inspired by this notion and it's exploration of surface and openings I have started with another frame, video footage though my bedroom window, to think about the relationship between my internal and external landscape.
This work has been chosen to be included in the University of Nottingham's Cedric Ford Exhibition, starting in Feb 2013.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

At Step 1753 of 3114 'tracks and tracks'

Inspired by the work of Daido Moriyama currently at Tate Modern (http://goo.gl/Q4HFi)I have been turning a lot of my photographic work to black and white, so that the colour as he describes 'does not make the decisions'

Sunday 11 November 2012

Untitled (Resistant Steps Nov 2012)

Two identical walks one in October and then repeated in November recording the similarities and differences in the landscape.
The work above is a response to the November walk and has been submitted to the Derby Open to see if the curators will choose to include it the exhibition.
The Gilcee prints within the work have been mounted at different
levels to reflect the movement and steps taken during the walk which is further highlighted by my hand made 'stepped frame'.



Saturday 20 October 2012

Annotated October Walk 2012

As I continue to walk and collect I am reminded that the process is not just about taking one step after the other but is taking the opportunity to meet and experience the unexpected....

Saturday 6 October 2012

'From the Island' (c) N Gear oct 2012

Circumnavigating the Island - a walk with artists Brenda Baxter last Thursday the 4th of October around the traffic island in Nottingham starting at Collin Street outside the Broadmarsh centre. 
An opportunity for a different view of the landscape some moments of extreme noise then turn a corner and then tranquility.
We finished up on top of the Broadmarsh multi storey car park high up for a high view of the city centre.
Brenda had produced a map of the island and it was fascinating seeing how another artist works in this way.  


Sunday 16 September 2012


Photo from todays 'South Walk' for the 'Walk With Me...' event.

Walk With Me Exhibition at John Lewis Nottingham Eating Area

An exhibition of work from my Uni Year group has started this weekend as part of the 'Walk With Me...' project to support the fund raising efforts of John Lewis Nottingham for Broxtowe Youth Homelessness project.
Go have a coffee and enjoy the work on show.
The display is on until Friday the 21st of September.

Friday 31 August 2012

Permitted - At any time.

Permitted - At any time... (Buttermere) N. Gear 2012

A photomontage made up of three photo's, two of which are of text from the landscape; all material collected during one walk in August round Buttermere lake. This piece considers the notion of our freedom in the natural world, is this just a romantic picture we hold whilst walking, and is the reality more of being hemmed in by the barriers put up   in the management of the land... 

Monday 27 August 2012

'East Walk' 2012

'East Walk' from my Walk With Me project.


This work along with 3 other pieces I have submitted into the Nottingham Open exhibition for 2102.


It is composed of photographs and text taken during my walk from Colwick Park Nottingham to the city centre reflecting both the natural and urban landscape, and the interaction between these two environments.


The piece has been framed in one of my 'stepped' frames which becomes a key component of my walking art.

Thursday 28 June 2012

'Here today gone tomorrow'  N.Gear 2012
I've just completed my application to the Surface Gallery Open Exhibition, in Nottingham. One of the pieces I've submitted is 'Here today gone tomorrow' using photos, text and found objects from one walk, all combined into the one work. I'll find out in the second week of July if any work has been chosen.


Friday 22 June 2012

Spray Landscape - Photo - 9.50am 21st June 2012 - N Gear. 


Another walk,  am 21st June 2012 .... this time it was with a group of artists brought together by Alison Lloyd for a walk starting at Nottingham train station down the Beeston Canal to Wollaton Park and Hall, then across to land up at Primary a new artists studio space facility, for a shared lunch.
During the walk we explored micro navigation looking at contour circles on a map and road roundabouts. Poetry readings also featured, and 10 minutes of silence.
It was a great opportunity to share with other artists, to learn about the work of Alison and not to get too wet!
See the link to Alison Lloyds work in my favourite web pages....

Sunday 17 June 2012



It's official - the 'Walk With Me...' blog page has been launched to promote a sponsored artists walk and exhibition that I and Sue Lea are organising, taking place on the 16th of September in conjunction with the John lewis store Nottingham in support of the Broxtowe Youth Homelessness project. For further information please see the link below (which is also included in the web page links on the right of this blog)
http://www.walkwithmeexhibition.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 12 June 2012


Another busy term at University has just finished and this picture shows one panel of work that I had up for my presentation day.
During my walks I have collected oak galls and have made some ink using a recipe that would have been used prior to ink being commercially produced. I have then completed map and sketch work; the three sketches at the top of the shot are completed with this ink. It has been exciting to find a way of making marks directly from material collected from the woods, linking the gestures of drawing to my walking practice.
The middle of the picture shows my collection of 'evidence' bags which contain objects, photos, annotations collected on one walk in Coxmoor woods on the 20th May 2012, exploring the value of the items thrown away and the way in which we treat our natural environment.


Coming up in September I'm organising along with Sue Lea (from my Uni Year Group) an exhibition at the John Lewis Store Nottingham called 'Walk With Me'. Watch this space for further information. 

Sunday 20 May 2012


'Force' 2012 N.Gear. 

I'm currently exhibiting 3 pieces in the Thoresby Hall Open Exhibition which runs from the 19th May through to the 10th of June. See the following link, http://www.whatsonatthoresby.co.uk/thoresby-gallery/,  which will give you details of how to find the gallery.
All the works shown are for sale, and if the two limited edition print pieces are sold you can contact me, if interested, to buy further editions at nick@artofgear.co.uk.
The Gallery has a coffee shop next door with free parking and space to walk, so take a trip and enjoy...

Sunday 13 May 2012


Following on from my Cedric Ford success I am continuing to look at 'Mapping the landscape' in which I walk. The photo shows a range of my recent work from photo montages to hand drawn maps in response to the places I walk in.
In my most recent work I am also 'collecting text' from the landscape which I am adding into some of my photo montage work, such as the word 'Control', where I am considering the way in which we manage and impact both he urban and natural landscapes.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

It's Official.....!


The Cedric Ford Exhibition has been officially opened today with the presentation of the prize by Cedric Ford as seen in the photo below.
Please feel free to visit and enjoy the range of work on display, details as per the earlier posting.

 
Dr Len Newton / Nick / Dr Cedric Ford








I would like to especially thank Gavin, Zoe, Sue, Pam, Vivien and Anne for all their hard work and care in putting together the exhibition....

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Cedric Ford Art Exhibition details



Following my success in winning this year Nottingham University art prize I'm pleased to let you know the details of the exhibition as listed above which is open to everyone to go and view.
If you Google 'Nottingham University Map' you can easily find directions and information for public pay and display parking (make sure you pay, the parking attendants are hot at issuing parking fines!!) 
The wining entry is for sale @ £95 (and there is a companion piece 'Far' which is also for sale. If both are purchased together then there is a special exhibition price of £175).


I hope you get along to and enjoy the exhibition...

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Latest map using found materials...

Continuing to develop my map theme this is the next in the series looking at using found materials from my Coxmoor Woods walks.


The materials include aluminium, earth, two sorts of wood, and charcoal all collected whilst walking, then made into particles that can be applied to the paper surface.


Using the objects from my walks is important  to me in establishing a direct physical link in the work that I do; giving a sense of authenticity in the drawing process.


I have also just been to the Hamish Fulton Exhibition at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham which is on until the 22nd of April which I would recommend a visit to. 
See www.ikon-gallery.co.uk. 

Saturday 25 February 2012

Next step - combining found materials and annotations...


Based on sketches from my mini notebook I've been looking at using my found charcoal from the woods and combining this with some of the annotations taken with the drawings.


The next stage is to use these back in the map format and see how this works, as I am trying to move on from using the formal shapes of 'Near' and develop something closer to my visual experiences in the woods....


I'll keep you posted on how this goes. 

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Nottingham University Cedric Ford Fine Art Competition Winner 2012




















The image above is of my winning entry into this years University of Nottingham Cedric Ford Fine Art Competition, titled 'Near'.

The two squares are made from bracken and cow parsley stalks with wood particles, charcoal dust and grass applied on top, all collected from my Coxmoor woods walks last year.


This piece along with twelve other winning entries will be exhibited at Nottingham University along with an exhibition catalogue, and I'll post the information for this once it is known. Anyone can go along to have a look so you're all welcome, it will be a great show...

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Annotated Walk (Stepping into the unknown)







The picture shown here is of one of my latest pieces using photographs from around Coxmoor woods and some of the annotations I've made whilst walking.


The quotation down the side is by Henri Federic Amiel and reads...


'Any landscape is a condition of the spirit'

Saturday 11 February 2012

Artists Annotated Book...

Here is one drawing from an annotated notebook which I have just started.


Whilst walking it has been interesting to consider what I take for granted and then to try and see the landscape as if finding it for the first time with explorers eyes, taking notes about the conditions and what I find....

Monday 30 January 2012

Every 50 Steps...









As well as the maps I'm also working on making up photographic compositions which show a where I tread every 50 steps:






The piece on the left has text at the bottom which says...




40 Recorded Moments
Every 50 Steps
Stone paths, Mud tracks, Reflections, Bricks, Rubbish, Shadows



Friday 27 January 2012

A few map making ideas...


I've been working on maps of my walks thinking about what and how to represent the features I walk on and through along with what I find.
Shown here are a couple of test maps the one on the right the later version which I prefer with the more formal gridded pattern which also shows the direction of North South East and West.
I am working on the key diagrams thinking about how to give these a more uniform feel rather than the hand drawn effect which I'll show you once developed; keep walking...

Tuesday 17 January 2012

A morning of lines, shadows, frost and light....

A walk of complete contrasts one minute in bright sunshine the next in deep shadow highlighting the lines and shapes in the landscape.
With my map making I am developing my own symbols with which to draw with to indicate the features I find as I walk of which I will upload some examples in the next few days....

Monday 9 January 2012

Amazing detail in the woods...

Every time I walk in Coxmoor woods I'm amazed that there is something new to appreciate. I have to remember sometimes not to rush, but to take some time to see the detail. The rubbish left was more dramatic than usual (see the photo), again it's sad to see the blots on the landscape people leave....

Sunday 1 January 2012

Shapes textures and more....



A walk to the tower above Chatsworth house then continuing above the house through the woodland revealed a treasure trove of shapes textures and more. One of my favourite images is of the circle naturally weathered out of the sandstone, see the latest uploaded photos...