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 60^th 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 28^th June 2013. For further information visit the gallery’s website here.