Contemporary Icons, by Dundee-based artist Nicola Wiltshire, is a series of paintings to be exhibited at the Hartlepool Art Gallery from 4^th October to 10^th November. Inspired by visiting Greek Orthodox churches on the island of Aegina, elements of these religious paintings are combined with research into fashion photography, symbology and the repetitive patterns seen in Islamic art.

This is Nicola’s first solo exhibition and tells us, “It is usually the subject and use of a painting that makes it an icon, yet these paintings represent normal people with halos and priestly robes. Painted on metallic and African fabric, Contemporary Icons aims to explore the beauty and meaning of religious art through people that are living today.”

Born in Cambridge, Nicola received her BA at University of Westminster (2009) and her MFA at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (2015). She now lives and works from her studio in Dundee, Scotland.

Make sure to head down to the exhibition in the beautifully restored Victorian Church, right by our Hartlepool campus!