Culture Art

Nicky Philipps at Fine Art Commissions ǀ Exhibition review

Nicky Philipps at Fine Art Commissions ǀ Exhibition review

The latest exhibition at Fine Art Commissions is a selection of works by the British portrait artist Nicky Philipps. After training in Florence, at the Cecil-Graves Atelier, Philipps has been working in London for the past 25 years.

Primarily a portrait artist, Philipps is well known for her commissioned pieces, including her double portrait of TRH’s Princes William and Harry, which was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in 2010. While a print of the piece can be seen in this exhibition, the star of the show is undoubtedly Philipps latest commission, a full-length portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, which was commissioned by the Royal Mail to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation, and is currently being featured on first-class stamps. 

Created in her favoured medium of oil on canvas, the piece has been criticised by some for its lack of resemblance to Her Majesty, however, if the painting doesn’t perfectly capture the Queen’s features, it certainly captures her spirit and personality, making it one of the better royal portraits of the past decade. 

This exhibition also includes a wide range of still life pieces – from the more traditional arrangements of flowers in vases, to contemporary subjects including a television remote control and a strawberry cupcake. These pieces are certainly true to life, and Philipps’ use of colour is stunning. 

Through her practice, Nicky Philipps breathes new life into a very traditional medium and way of working. It is suggested, all too often, that portraiture is a dying art: this exhibition provides a refreshing reminder that there are still some exceptionally talented painters at work today, and can be highly recommended to anyone interested in oil painting or contemporary still life and portraiture. 

Melanie Weaver
Photos: Laia Medina

Nicky Philipps is at Fine Art Commissions until 28th June 2013. For further information visit the gallery’s website here.

More in Art

Cartier at the V&A

Constance A

1880 THAT: Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader at Wellcome Collection

Christina Yang

José María Velasco: A View of Mexico at the National Gallery

James White

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance at The King’s Gallery

Constance A

Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making at the National Gallery

James White

Wellington’s Dutch Masterpieces at Apsley House

James White

Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots at Serpentine South Gallery

Constance A

Ed Atkins at Tate Britain

Christina Yang

Fragments of Folklore: A landmark exhibition reimagines tradition in contemporary Saudi Arabia

The editorial unit